Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Active Faulting and Earthquake Hazards

Fixed term for until 31 March 2027 

The Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, seeks to appoint a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Active Faulting and Earthquake Hazards. The post holder will report to Prof. Richard Walker, Principal Investigator on the project.

The successful candidate will work closely with Prof. Richard Walker, along with the broader COMET community, on a project sponsored by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aimed at providing active fault maps and information about earthquake potential and related hazards in proximity to major hydropower developments in Kyrgyzstan. The project will involve both remote-sensing and field-based observations and data collection. It will provide outputs to the World Bank CAWEP (Central Asia Water Energy Power) programme to aid the design process, leading to more resilient development. An important second aim of the project is in working with networks of institutes in central Asia to strengthen capacity, and to develop further efforts in hazard identification across the region.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the mapping and analysis of fault-based and volcanic geomorphology using high-resolution satellite imagery and digital topography, supplemented with fieldwork in selected regions. The production of high-resolution digital topographic datasets through field-based, aerial, or satellite methods, forms an important component of the duties.

The post is based in the Department of Earth Sciences and will be overseen by Richard Walker in Oxford. The post will also involve close collaboration with scientists throughout COMET, particularly those involved in the analysis of digital topographic data and in field-based earthquake geology. The post is funded until the end of March 2027, with a possibility for longer term extension contingent on funding. We wish to fill it at the earliest possibility.

About you

• You will hold or be close to the completion of, a relevant PhD/DPhil together with relevant experience. You will have the ability to undertake independent field-based earthquake and tectonic geomorphology research, including experience with sample collection and paleoseismology investigations. You will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.

You will be able to work independently, and you must have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities. You will have excellent communication skills including a track record of contributing to publications and presentations and an ability to contribute ideas for new research projects.

• Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project and experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication are desirable, but not essential.

This is a fixed term post until 31 March 2027. For full details of the role please see the job description. The deadline for applications is midday 01 August 2025. Interviews will be provisionally held on 15 August 2025.

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.

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