The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol (UK) has an opening for a postdoctoral Research Assistant working in the electron microbeam laboratories. There is funding available for 12 months for a part-time (80%) appointment.

We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate with substantial experience working with both SEM and EPMA equipment. You will have a PhD or equivalent in a related subject. You will oversee operation of the equipment and supervise users from a variety of backgrounds. You will undertake two pilot research projects in preparation of grant applications. The role will also involve analysis of data collected over the past several years, and working the data into a manuscript(s) for publication.
The Department of Earth Sciences thrives on a research-intensive environment, characterised by individuals and groups of international standing; working collectively or individually on earth science problems of global concern. The department is loosely divided into five research groups, united by a common research goal or common equipment, but with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration between them. A brief summary of these groups and their research goals and membership is given below.

The Deep Earth research group uses high-pressure high-temperature experimental petrology and seismology to study the chemical differentiation of the earth and dynamics of the crust and mantle: Profs: Kendall, Blundy FRS, Helffrich, Walter. Drs: Kohn, Montgomery, Schumacher, Wookey, Rychert. Dohmen, Caricchi, Saunders (+6 PDRA, 7 PG).
The Geochemistry group uses isotopic and elemental abundances to quantify processes from planetary evolution, through melt generation and differentiation, to climate change and surface chemical cycles: Profs: Sherman, Elliott, Vance. Drs: Coath (+9 PDRA, 19 PG).
The Palaeobiology and Biodiversity group, covers a breadth of time scales and organismal groups to understand biological evolution on Earth. Research methodology combines traditional observational studies of fossils with pioneering developments in: numerical and phylogenetic analysis, biomechanical modelling, X-ray tomography and molecular biological techniques, placing the group at the forefront of paleobiological investigations. Profs: Benton. Drs: Anderson, Braddy, Donoghue, Loeffler, Rayfield, Ruta, Rücklin, Schmidt, Hendy. (+3 PDRA, 14 PG)
The Climate and Environmental Change group includes experts in Earth system science, biogeochemistry, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, the carbon cycle, climate change and studies large-scale Earth system processes and interactions, and the linkages among environmental change, human activities and policy. Drs: Cornell, P. Foster, Hendy, Hornibrook, Knorr, Scholze, Siddall, Whitaker. Ms. House (+4 PDRA, 4 PG).

Application Deadline 1September2010