Volcanology Research Technician

An exciting opportunity exists for a research technician to join the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC). You will be working within and will support the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Laboratory and Dr Jones’ research team at Lancaster University.

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory is a world-class facility for research into a wide range of topics covering volcanology and planetary science. Current research topics include pyroclastic density currents, Martian volcanism, magma fragmentation and magma rheology. It has a large equipment base for scaled analogue experiments (e.g., high-speed cameras, fluidization rigs, fluid tanks), rheometry (e.g., extensional, powder and rotational rheometers) and particle size, shape, and density characterization. The successful candidate will also benefit from being part of the wider volcanology research group comprising numerous faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students. 

You will contribute to the GFD Lab by supporting the installation, operation, and safe running of laboratory equipment. Designing and overseeing the production of new equipment to meet specific research goals of the group. Training and managing users of the laboratory space and facilities. We expect laboratory work to form large component of the role, thus the successful candidate is likely to have previous laboratory experience.

You will also provide a data collection service to support active research grants, over the initial 2-year period this will include the textural analysis of pyroclasts and/or rheometry experiments. This role does offer some flexibility and either textural analysis or rheometry experiments can be performed based on the successful candidate’s skills and interests. 

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally, and in the top 10 in the UK. It is located on a beautiful campus in the North-West of England close to the Lake District National Park. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling grand environmental challenges.

LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing, and decolonising agendas.

The post is available immediately and is initially for 2 years, however further opportunities for extension may become available. Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr. Thomas Jones: thomas.jones@lancaster.ac.uk 

Please note: Unless specified otherwise in the advert wording, all advertised roles are UK based.  

The University provides an environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee, whilst promoting the importance of wellbeing for all our colleagues. We have a range of support networks available for our employees, and more information on these can be found on the ‘Working at Lancaster’ information page.  

We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis. The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education.  

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.

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