The Department of Earth Sciences is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate in Natural Resource Innovation to join our thriving academic community. The post will commence on 5 January 2026 (or later by mutual agreement) and will be offered for five years.
This post is one of four new Senior Research Associate positions being created as part of Oxford EARTH (Equitable Access to sustainable Resources for a Thriving Habitat), a new strategic research programme. While this role will be based within Earth Sciences, the other three posts span across Chemistry, Materials, Engineering, and Geography. Oxford EARTH works in close partnership with other major strategic research programmes at Oxford, including Oxford Net Zero, the Zero Institute, and Sustainable Chemistry.
The successful candidate will work at the forefront of resource innovation in Earth Sciences and capitalise on these innovations and their far-reaching possibilities in the exploration and recovery of resources on Earth.
We are looking for a creative researcher in the broad area of natural resources including, but not limited to:
- Economic geology
- Geothermal systems
- Waste storage and valorisation (e.g., radioactive waste, CO2, acid mine drainage)
- Resource recovery and recycling, and natural hydrogen
Working in partnership with the broader Oxford EARTH team, in particular engagement and collaboration with the social sciences the successful candidate will have strong communication and interpersonal skills to enable the formation of good working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, there may be the opportunity to deliver class teaching and demonstrations on relevant natural resource topics.
For an informal discussion about the role and find out more about joining the academic community at Oxford, please contact Professors Tamsin Mather, David Pyle, or Jonathan Blundy. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection process and decision.