Senior Research Associate in Volcanic Petrology

The role

This 32-month Senior Research Associate (SRA) position will join a large team of investigators working on the UKRI NERC-funded Large Grant ‘Ex-X’ Expecting the Unexpected. Understanding ‘dangerous’ volcanic transitions’. Ex-X seeks to deliver a step-change in how we understand and anticipate the dynamic drivers for the dangerous eruptive transitions associated with significant disruptions and fatalities.  The project will use the volcanoes of the Eastern Caribbean as a focal point and, with our partners, plans to demonstrate how this knowledge can improve monitoring and warning systems in the Eastern Caribbean.  

This SRA will use the eruptive rock record from multiple Eastern Caribbean volcanoes to understand eruptive changes, fluctuating conduit flow, and the spatial and temporal changes in subsurface conditions.  They will do this via the micro-textural and micro-petrological reconstruction of changing conditions using analytical methods (SEM, electron microprobe, XCT at Bristol) and petrological modelling. This will not only create significant new insights into changing volcanic behaviour but is important to other project areas. So with their data, the SRA should develop collaborations to parameterise and test new models and compare findings with geophysical datasets and historical eruptive records.

There will also be the opportunity to contribute to an experimental program relevant to characterising the dynamics of crystallisation in the run up to eruptions.

What will you be doing?

• Using textural analysis of gathered samples (including crystal and vesicle size and shape distributions) to understand changing eruptive conditions
• Using microanalytical methods to reconstruct intensive parameters in the subsurface environment
• Contributing to the description and sampling of eruptive deposits in the field
• Creating and maintaining an open access sample inventory as a project legacy
• Representation of early career and contract researchers in Ex-X during project management meetings

You should apply if

• Ideally you have a PhD-level qualification in a suitable area of volcanic petrology with field-based experience of the analysis of eruptive deposits
• You thrive in a team working environment and have a proven capacity for excellent time management with evidence for skills in report and academic paper writing
• You have a track record of using rock samples to understand and characterise eruptive behaviour through textural and petrological analysis.
• You are able to work and live in or close to Bristol, to facilitate analytical work and project discussion.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended, with fixed funding for 32 months

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 26/04/2026

The interviews are likely to take place on the second or third week of May 2026

For informal queries please contact: Jenni Barclay, AXA Chair in Volcanology J.Barclay@bristol.ac.uk

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