Senior Research Associate in Volcanic Petrology and Stratigraphy

The role

This 36 month Senior Research Associate position will join a team of investigators from the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, Plymouth and the West Indies on the Leverhulme-funded research grant ‘Volcanic Histories’.

Led by the University of Bristol, Volcanic Histories is an interdisciplinary project that aims to understand the complex relationship between volcanic eruptions and the societal disruption they cause. The wider project will bring together volcanology, history, archaeology and disaster science to understand the drivers of volcanic disruption on several Eastern Caribbean volcanic islands. This post-doc position will be responsible for the field-based examination of the stratigraphic record of eruptive deposits, and the identification of key samples on which to use petrology and textural analysis to forensically detect drivers of fast-paced changes during or between eruptive episodes. You will also collaborate with the wider team to contextualise some eruptions within the historical record, and to integrate others with the archaeological record of pre-Colombian settlements on these islands.

You will have field-based experience of the description and analysis of young pyroclastic deposits and be able to take advantage of the analytical instruments available at the University of Bristol (SEM, electron microprobe and XCT) to reconstruct the pre and syn-eruptive changes preserved within in the stratigraphy.

This project offers you the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary project, gaining knowledge of historical and archaeological research practice, and to integrate volcanological insights with these fields to improve disaster risk reduction. You should have an enthusiasm for collaborative working and knowledge sharing.

What will you be doing?

Several periods of fieldwork (~2-3 weeks), working in a small team in the Eastern Caribbean, sampling, describing and correlating eruptive deposits

Using textural analysis and microanalytical methods to reconstruct changing intensive parameters in the subsurface environment

Contributing to the analysis and interpretation of archival records of historical eruptions in the Eastern Caribbean, and the correlation of eruptions with the archaeological record.

Contributing to the integration and analysis of the eruptive histories with  their societal impacts in the context of broader changes.

Sharing and disseminating this knowledge via both academic and non-academic means

You should apply if

A PhD level qualification in a suitable area of volcanology is desirable, with both field-based experience and knowledge of petrological and textural reconstruction of eruptive histories.

You thrive in a team working environment with a capacity for integrative work, excellent time management and evidence for skills in report and academic paper writing.

You can be based at the University of Bristol, with capacity to travel for fieldwork in the Eastern Caribbean 

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended, with fixed funding until 05/01/2029

We would like the post holder to begin in or close to January 2026.

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 15/10/2025

Shortlisting is anticipated to take place on the 24th October 2025

Interviews are anticipated to take place on the 26th November 2025

For informal queries, please contact: Jenni Barclay (J.Barclay@bristol.ac.uk)

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