Research Associate in Experimental fluid dynamics & rheology (0427-24)

An exciting opportunity exists for a post-doctoral researcher to work on a UKRI funded project entitled “Flow and fragmentation of melts and magmas: developing a unified view through experimental, numerical and field investigations”. You will be working and based within Dr Jones’ research group at Lancaster University and will contribute to the experimental objectives of the research programme.

You will contribute to the project by performing experiments on analogue materials to better understand the ductile fragmentation of low viscosity volcanic melts and magmas. High-speed videography and image analysis will be used to document these experiments. Further complimentary rheological experiments in extension, rotation and oscillation will also be performed. We expect analogue experimentation to form a large component of the work, thus you are likely to have some background in performing laboratory experiments. Through the UKRI FLF project you will be part of a large international team, including researchers from Canada, USA and Italy and there will be plenty of opportunities for training and career development. 

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Laboratory in the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a world-class facility for research into a wide range of topics covering volcanology and planetary science. The lab is directed by Dr Jones and current research topics include pyroclastic density currents, planetary volcanism, magma fragmentation and magma rheology. It has a large equipment base for scaled analogue experiments (e.g., high-speed cameras, fluidization rigs, fluid tanks), rheometry (e.g., extensional, powder and rotational rheometers) and particle size, shape, and density characterization. You will also benefit from being part of the wider volcanology research group comprising numerous faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students. 

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally, and in the top 10 in the UK. It is located on a beautiful campus in the North-West of England close to the Lake District National Park. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling grand environmental challenges.

LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing, and decolonising agendas.

Expected start dates are within the year 2024 however there is some flexibility. Appointment could be made at Grade 6 (pay scale as above) or Grade 7 (£36,386 to £42,155 pa). Based on appointment grade and associated funding available, the post may be offered up to a maximum of 24 months. 

What to include in each document of your application:

Cover Letter: Please discuss why you are interested specifically in this position, and how it fits with your career goals. Please also describe any skills you have developed that are relevant to this post.

CV: Please include a 2-page CV.

Supporting Statements: Please provide a supporting statement for each Personal Specification point that is listed as being scored via “Supporting Statements”. This should include examples that provide evidence of your experience and expertise. Aim for one paragraph per criteria (~50-200 words).

Referees: Contact information for referees.

Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr. Thomas Jones: thomas.jones@lancaster.ac.uk. 

Closing Date: 29 Apr 2024

Department: Research

Salary: £31,396 to £36,024 (Full time, indefinite with end date Contract)