Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of St Andrews. The project, funded for two years by BG Group (UK) and Petroleo Brasileiro (Brazil), and part of the International Centre for Carbonate Reservoirs (ICCR), is aimed at understanding the formation and diagenesis of Mg-silicate minerals in non-marine carbonate depositional settings. The project will employ an experimental approach to examining the effects of aqueous chemistry on the nature of Mg-silicate nucleation, crystallisation and maturation. Diagenetic reactions between Mg-silicates and carbonate minerals will also be an important focus.
 
You will have a PhD in the Earth sciences or chemistry, including but not limited to geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, inorganic chemistry or solid state chemistry. Knowledge and/or experience in geochemical laboratory and analytical methods is desirable particularly aqueous synthesis techniques, hydrothermal experimentation, and materials characterisation.
 
You will be based in the newly built Aqueous Geochemistry Laboratory, part of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES), and will have routine access to X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis, electron microscopy and solid state NMR facilities hosted in DEES and the School of Chemistry. The position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, intellectual independence and a willingness to explore unfamiliar areas and techniques.

The start date is negotiable but you would be expected to take up the post by 1 March 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Informal enquiries can be made to: Dr Nicholas Tosca, +44 (0)1334 464015, njt6@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Please quote ref:  SB1415

Closing Date:  20 January 2014

Further Particulars:  SB1415AR FPs.doc

School of Geography and Geosciences
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Salary: £30,728-£33,562 per annum
Start: 1 March 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter
Fixed term for two years