About the job:
We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ice-Core Tephrochronology and Ash-Dispersion Modelling to join our NERC-funded SMASHING project, a novel interdisciplinary project that will investigate the cumulative climate impacts and ash-cloud hazards of small-to-moderate magnitude volcanic eruptions (SMME) over the Common Era.
In this role, your key responsibilities will include selecting and extracting cryptotephra samples from Greenland ice cores in collaboration with international partner laboratories, performing major and trace element geochemical characterisation, and conducting particle morphological analysis. You will also take charge of running inverse ash-dispersion simulations to constrain eruption source parameters and liaise directly with our climate-modelling team to integrate these multi-proxy datasets.
You will join an interdisciplinary, international collaboration spanning Queen's University Belfast, the University of Oxford, the University of St Andrews and our partners in the Desert Research Institute (Reno, Nevada), USGS (Anchorage, Alaska), and Trinity College Dublin, contributing to research with relevance to the upcoming IPCC assessment.
Please note that the successful candidate must be available to start by the beginning of September 2026 and this is a condition of offer.
About the person:
Candidates must hold a PhD in Palaeoecology, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, or a cognate discipline, or must have successfully passed their viva before applying for the post. They should demonstrate a proven track record in working with low‑concentration cryptotephra samples, analysing major and trace element geochemistry of glass shards and generating high‑quality tephra datasets. Experience with volcanic ash-dispersion modelling, programming (Python/R), or stable isotopes will be an asset. Candidates must also demonstrate a strong publication record and an ability to systematically interpret geochemical datasets to reconstruct past volcanism and its impacts. Meticulous laboratory practice, reliable troubleshooting skills, and a clear commitment to reproducible data are essential qualities.
As this project relies on international and multi-disciplinary collaboration, outstanding communication skills and an open, collaborative mindset are vital.
*** Candidates must be willing and able to travel for dedicated research stays. This will include spending time in the USA (Nevada and Alaska), Scotland (St Andrews), and the Republic of Ireland (Dublin); candidates must therefore be eligible to obtain any necessary visas/permissions to facilitate travel to these locations ***
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/.
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.
If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport.
Candidate Information
