Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term): Ice core science

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in ice core science to join a Leverhulme Trust funded project. The project aims to extend our record of key greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere back in time via analysis of the oldest continuous ice core ever retrieved from Antarctica. The Beyond EPICA Oldest Ice Core (BE-OIC) dates back at least 1.2 million years, spanning the Mid Pleistocene Transition - an enigmatic shift in the pacing and intensity of Earth's climate cycles. This project will use a continuous analysis method to quantify levels of greenhouse gases in the pristine ancient air trapped in the ice, contributing to the precise dating of the core, quantifying the contribution of these important greenhouse gases to major climatic change, and revealing how their variability altered as the Earth transitioned to its current state.

The project team consists of several European scientists specialising in greenhouse gas analysis nested within the multi-national Beyond EPICA consortium. Co-investigators are Prof Thomas Blunier at the University of Copenhagen, Dr Emilie Capron and Dr Xavier Fain at the Institute of Geosciences and the Environment (IGE), Grenoble, France, and Dr Thomas Bauska at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and will work closely with Dr Rachael Rhodes and all co-investigators in the research team, as well as Postdoctoral Research Associates at British Antarctic Survey and IGE, and University of Cambridge PhD students.

Applicants must have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in earth sciences or closely related discipline. Previous experience in geochemical analysis is required, and experience in paleoclimate sciences and laboratory analysis of polar ice core gases is highly desirable. The research will include system development and testing in the Ice Core Gas Lab at the British Antarctic Survey and an extended stay in Grenoble, France, to participate in a Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) measurement campaign on the deepest section of the newly drilled BE-OIC.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, have good communication skills and ideally a strong publication record (commensurate with their career stage). Attending and presenting results at international conferences will be supported and encouraged, as will involvement in outreach activities. The successful applicant will be mentored and supported in developing their career and research interests by the Principal Investigator and University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 36 months in the first instance, based on a latest start date of 01 July 2026.

Latest start date:  01 July 2026.

Salary ranges: Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049 (Grade 7). Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be under-appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 - £34,610), moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of their PhD award.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list in the upload section. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested they will not be considered as part of your application.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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