Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the security of carbon dioxide drawdown during Enhanced Rock Weathering
Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN
Fixed term until 9th November 2025
Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the main responsibility of this post is to assess the potential for carbonate mineral formation downstream from the range of UK enhanced rock weathering demonstrator sites where crushed basalt is being applied. The post holder will be part of a consortium project ERW-GGR (Enhanced Rock Weathering-Greenhouse Gas Removal) which is itself a component of the UKRI funded Demonstrator phase of greenhouse gas removal techniques assessing sustainable routes for large-scale removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
The post-holder will lead the design and execution of a series of laboratory carbonate precipitation experiments to assess the rate of carbonate and/or mineral formation at various river/groundwater chemistries, using element or isotope dopants to minimise uncertainty. They will also explore the role of inhibitors such as soluble reactive phosphate and organic acids in maintaining alkalinity in the soluble form and conduct relevant element and isotope measurements to constrain mineral growth rates, and combine these with other measurements to assess the relationship between mineral growth and river/groundwater conditions. They will also be responsible for preparing results for publication and presenting them at programmatic, national and international meetings. they will also develop ideas for generating research income and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers.
About you
You will hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD in aqueous / environmental / ocean geochemistry or a related discipline and will have experience in laboratory wet (geo)chemistry and analytical geochemistry.
You will have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities and the ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation. You must also have excellent communication skills including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.
For further details of the role please see the job description.
The role is available now and is fixed term until 9th November 2025.
The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 15th January 2024.
You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.
Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.
Contact Person : HR Team Vacancy ID : 169715 Contact Phone : Closing Date & Time : 15-Jan-2024 12:00 Pay Scale : STANDARD GRADE 7 Contact Email : [email protected] Salary (£) : £37,099 - £38,205 per annum