Research Technician in Geochemistry

Location: National Oceanography Centre Southampton

Salary:  £23,879 to £24,565 per annum

Full Time Fixed Term - 4 years

Reference: 897217HN

Applications are invited for a research technician in geochemistry to join an interdisciplinary research consortium investigating the overarching question: Does developmental plasticity influence speciation? Our transdisciplinary approach to fill this key knowledge gap in contemporary evolutionary ecology, fuses computer vision, micro-tomography, systematics and geochemistry.

You will provide effective and efficient technical support on the geochemical components of the project, including preparation of material for computed tomography and geochemical analysis, principally laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and single organism isotopic analysis. You will also build and maintain relational databases to store results in a logical structure.

The post sits within the new, Natural Environment Research Council funded PISTON consortium across the University of Southampton, University of Leeds, University of Bristol and University College London. You will be based within the Palaeoceanography and Palaeoclimatology research group at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, an integrated Joint Centre owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the University of Southampton.

You should be enthusiastic and well-motivated, delivering efficient and effective geochemical support while also integrating fully within the multidisciplinary PISTON project as a good team-worker and excellent communicator. Ideally, you will be experienced in sediment sample preparation techniques and have experience of working with microfossils. You must be meticulous and well organised in your work.

This four-year fixed term post is available from 2 October 2017.

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Work Package Lead, Prof. Paul A. Wilson ( paw1@noc.soton.ac.uk) or PISTON Co-ordinator Dr Thomas Ezard (t.ezard@southampton.ac.uk ; http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~te1e12/)

Ocean & Earth Science and Electronics & Computer Science both hold an Athena Swan Bronze Award, demonstrating their commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.  The University of Southampton holds additionally an Athena Swan Silver Award. Both OES and ECS are able to provide flexible working opportunities in a part-time or job share capacity. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break.

The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities and employees are able to participate in the childcare vouchers scheme. Other benefits include state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts. 

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Suzanne Stone (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 897217HN on all correspondence.