Research Fellow in Geophysics

Geology & Geophysics

Location:  National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary:   £34,980 to £42,978 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term until 31/12/2025
Closing Date:  Monday 20 November 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2494523HN

We seek a Research Fellow with a proven publication record to develop resistivity models from recently acquired marine controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data and to interpret these models using other relevant geophysical and geological data. We are particularly looking for someone with skills in marine CSEM but will consider applicants from other fields of geophysics.

The Research Fellow will join an international team in the project “Quantifying evolution of magmatism and serpentinization during the onset of seafloor spreading”, funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the US National Science Foundation. The overall aim of this project is to quantify the evolution of serpentinisation and magmatism at a magma-poor rifted margin as seafloor spreading is initiated. Serpentinised mantle rocks are generally more conductive, often by about an order of magnitude, than mafic crustal rocks, so CSEM and MT techniques provide a promising route to resolve controversies around lithospheric structure. In August-September 2023, we conducted the first joint CSEM, MT and seismic experiment in the continent-ocean transition at a rifted margin, to determine how competing processes of magmatism and serpentinisation evolve during the initiation of seafloor spreading. We focused our work at the sediment-starved Goban Spur rifted margin southwest of the UK, which is uniquely suited to such a study because of its thin sediment cover, narrow continent-ocean transition and existing covering with deep seismic reflection data.

The position is based in the School of Ocean and Earth Science, which is located at the University of Southampton’s Waterfront Campus at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. The research fellow will collaborate with project partners at the National Oceanography Centre, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the University of Bremen and Geomar. Funding is available until 31/12/2025 with a possibility of extension. 

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Tim Minshull (tmin@soton.ac.uk). Please apply online at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk.

We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce.  We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.  

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.