About Position/Job
The University of Bristol is seeking a Senior Research Associate in Volcanic Petrology and Stratigraphy to join the Leverhulme-funded project Volcanic Histories. This three-year post, led by Professor Jenni Barclay, will investigate how volcanic eruptions shaped societies in the Eastern Caribbean, combining volcanology, archaeology, history, and disaster science. The role involves extensive fieldwork examining stratigraphic records, laboratory-based petrological and textural analysis, and collaborative research with interdisciplinary partners from Bristol, Oxford, Plymouth, and the University of the West Indies. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of geoscience and the humanities, providing vital insights into volcanic risk reduction while building global academic collaborations. Funding is available until January 2029, with the anticipated start in early 2026.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Senior Research Associate
- Institution: University of Bristol
- Department: School of Earth Sciences
- Research field: Volcanic Petrology and Stratigraphy
- Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Research Postdoc
- Start Date (Anticipated): January 2026
- Working Hours: 37 hours per week
- Salary Range: £43,482 – £50,253 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research area
- Volcanology
- Petrology and textural analysis
- Stratigraphy of eruptive deposits
- Disaster risk reduction
- Historical and archaeological integration
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in volcanology or closely related field
- Experience in field-based stratigraphic analysis of young pyroclastic deposits
- Strong skills in petrological and textural reconstruction
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with SEM, electron microprobe, and XCT analysis
- Background in interdisciplinary collaboration with history or archaeology
- Strong academic writing and dissemination skills
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct multiple fieldwork campaigns in the Eastern Caribbean to sample and describe eruptive deposits
- Apply microanalytical methods to reconstruct pre- and syn-eruptive processes
- Collaborate with historians and archaeologists to integrate volcanic, historical, and archaeological records
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to public dissemination
- Work within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team
Application Process
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted through the University of Bristol’s official recruitment portal. Reference job number ACAD108280 when applying.
Required Documents:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic references
- Supporting documents (as per University guidelines)
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 18 September 2025
- Deadline: 15 October 2025 (23:59 UK time)
- Shortlisting: 24 October 2025
- Interview Date: 26 November 2025
Useful Links
- Institution Website: University of Bristol
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply now: click here
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