Research Fellow

The School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Geochemistry to work on the NERC Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Science funded project ‘SCREED: Supergene enrichment of carbonatite-hosted rare earth element deposits’.

This post holder will work with Prof. Martin Smith and collaborators at Camborne School of Mines (CSM) - University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth to investigate the mineralogy, geochemistry and microbiology of the carbonatite weathered zone and their consequences for REE resources. You will work in the geochemical laboratories at the University of Brighton (XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, XPS, SEM) and with staff from the Brighton Integrative Genomics Unit, with opportunity to visit CSM to work on LA-ICPMS and EMPA. A proposal to work at the Diamond Light Source has been approved as part of the project and experience with X-ray absorption spectroscopy would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will:

• Have, or be near to completing, a PhD and have experience of relevant analytical techniques.
• Experience of analytical techniques including one or more of XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, XPS, U-Th-He geochronology or soil biota (meta)genomics.
• Sufficient, up to date breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes and evidence of commitment to engage in continuous professional development.

The post is full time, for a fixed term to 31st May 2026, but may have potential for extension. There is opportunity for attendance at national and international meetings. This position is available on a job share basis.

Call (01273) 642849 (24 hours) or visit https://www.brighton.ac.uk/humanresources/jobs.html

Informal enquiries contact Prof. Martin Smith (martin.smith@brighton.ac.uk).

Further details:

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.

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