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Research Associate in Sulphide Geochemistry and Seafloor Mineral Deposit Formation

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position (RA) in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University to participate in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded Highlight Topic project ‘ULTRA: Ultramafic-hosted mineral research and assessment’, under the direction of Professor Christopher MacLeod.

This RA position will investigate sulphide mineral paragenesis and ultramafic-hosted seafloor massive sulphide deposit formation and forms an essential part of the broad multi-disciplinary, multi-institution ULTRA project under the overall leadership and coordination of Professor Bramley Murton (National Oceanography Centre Southampton; https://project-ultra.org/). It is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the systematic investigation of one of the largest seafloor mineral deposits yet known from a mid-ocean ridge environment. The overall project aims to apply a variety of novel methodologies to constrain the controls on mineralisation, via determination of the structure, size and composition of the massive sulphide deposit.

The role of the post-holder will be to assist in the broader multi-disciplinary investigation of the mineral deposit, the ultramafic-hosted ‘Semenov’ deposit on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 13°30’N, 44°55'W. The post-holder will ideally participate in person on the second of two ULTRA research cruises to the Semenov area, RRS James Cook cruise JC254, from 24th October to 29th November 2023 (https://noc.ac.uk/facilities/ships/rrs-james-cook). Onboard duties are likely to: (1) necessitate the post-holder assisting as required in the collection, curation, preparation, description and characterisation of samples and data acquired at sea by a wide variety of tools and methods; and (2) include responsibility for operating equipment onboard, preparing and analysing samples collected during the cruises. Post-cruise, the post-holder will have primary responsibility for performing and coordinating the major- and trace-element whole-rock and mineral emical (± isotope) analysis and analytical imaging plus mineralogical study of samples from the Semenov area (many of them sulphides and modified equivalents) collected during both ULTRA cruises (ULTRA-1, cruise JC224, obtained drill core and discrete samples from Semenov in March-April 2022). The post-holder will make a substantive contribution to an understanding of the fluid and mass transfer processes controlling the paragenesis of the Semenov deposit, liaising with other stakeholders to synthesise multidisciplinary models for the formation of this and generic ultramafic-hosted massive seafloor massive sulphide deposits. In addition, they are encouraged to utilise their particular background and expertise to bring additional techniques and novel methodologies to contribute to and expand the scope of the project, utilising the unique analytical facilities and capabilities of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff University. They will have the opportunity to make use of the School's recently updated analytical suite, which includes ICP-MS, QQQ ICP-MS, ICP-OES, HR-ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS, TIMS, 213 and 193nm laser ablation and associated clean preparation laboratories, and state-of-the-art element mapping and other analytical imaging. They will work in collaboration with, and assist when necessary, other staff and researchers in other UK institutions (NOC, the British Geological Survey, and the universities of Southampton and Leeds) and overseas partners involved with ULTRA, under the direction of Professor MacLeod and Professor Murton, to help meet the overall goals of the ULTRA project.

In addition to the above duties, the post-holder will be expected to produce work leading to high-impact research publications, targeting appropriate high quality peer reviewed journals, present papers at national and international conferences, participate in and develop education and outreach opportunities related to the ULTRA vision, and contribute to the development of future collaborative research proposals.

The successful applicant will hold a PhD in a relevant subject, e.g. sulphide geochemistry, volcanic massive sulphide mineral deposit paragenesis., and/or fluid-mass transfer modelling of mafic-ultramafic systems. They will have practical field or at-sea experience investigating the geology of mineral deposits, and will have laboratory expertise in the major- and trace-element whole-rock and mineral chemical, and potentially isotopic, analysis of sulphides and associated silicate hosts.

Ship risk assessments and accessibility constraints are under the purview of the National Oceanography Centre/National Marine Facility and responsibility of ULTRA Chief Scientist Professor Bramley Murton. All sea-going personnel are required to obtain an ENG-1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, and undergo a sea survival training course (Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques), both administered by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency).

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is a fixed-term 2-year appointment. The target start date is 1st September 2023, but with some flexibility as long as the period of the appointment falls within that of the broader ULTRA project.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6)

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Christopher MacLeod, email: [email protected].

For further details about working in Cardiff University please contact John Evans, email [email protected], or Claudia Pena Becerra ([email protected]).

Date advert posted: Thursday, 20 July 2023

Closing Date: Sunday, 20 August 2023

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Main Function

To assist Professor MacLeod by conducting research and generating data to help meet Cardiff’s commitments to the NERC ULTRA project. To contribute to the overall performance of the SOLID Research Group, the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To work with the ULTRA team in the collection, curation and characterisation and of drill core and other seafloor samples and data at sea from the Semenov area (Mid-Atlantic Ridge 13°30’N) as requested.
• Responsibility post-cruise for conducting petrographic and geochemical investigation of samples and data from the Semenov deposit, including major- and trace-element analysis of whole-rock and mineral samples of sulphides in particular, utilising the facilities of the Cardiff School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; also coordination and collaboration with other members of the ULTRA team.
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in mineral deposit geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy or related disciplines.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

• i. geological controls on volcanic- (and/or ultramafic-) hosted sulphide mineral deposit formation
• ii. independent laboratory expertise and experience in analysis of whole-rock and mineral sulphide samples for major and trace elements, e.g. using techniques such as fire assay and laser-ablation ICP, isotopes, and/or analytical electron microscopy.
• iii. sulphide mineral paragenesis

3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field.
4. Proven ability to publish in international journals and present results at international conferences.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

10. Evidence of collaborations with non-academic stakeholders.
11. Evidence of ability to work to tight deadlines.
12. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

Information on the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/earth-environmental-sciences

39,347

44,263

Academic - Research

Grade 6