Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radar Imaging of Geophysical Flows

(

Job Number:

25000801

)

Department of Earth Sciences
Grade 7: - 38,249 - 45,413 per annum
Fixed Term - Annualised Hours (Full Time)

Contract Duration

:

12 months

Contracted Hours per Week

:

35

Working Arrangements

:

The post will involve extended travel to install, maintain and extract data from equipment in Guatemala.

Closing Date

:

14-Jul-2025, 5:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement

:

Not Applicable.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.



As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.



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The Department

Durham Earth Sciences is one of the very best UK Earth Science departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and both the satisfaction and employability of its students. It is regularly ranked in the top 5 of UK departments and is within the global top 30.


The department has around 35 academic staff, 20 research staff, 60 postgraduate students and 250 undergraduate students. Its research covers a spectrum of Earth Science disciplines around three broad themes: Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Climate, Environment and Resources; and Physics and Chemistry of Earth and Planetary Processes. The themes reflect our aim to not only undertake fundamental and intrinsically excellent research, but also research that is relevant to, and which impacts society. Within this context, our research is grouped into four Impact Themes: Towards Net Zero; Sustainable Resource Management; Environment and Climate Change; and Geohazards. We collaborate widely, and within Durham we work closely with both the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and the Durham Energy Institute.


The Department of Earth Sciences holds a departmental Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of its efforts to promote gender equality and address challenges particular to the earth sciences. More information on the department, its research and its facilities can be found here.

The Role

Applications are invited for a fixed-term full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position in radar monitoring of natural hazards, beginning around July 2025 (although there is some flexibility in this date, in both directions). The position is funded by NERC grant 'High Resolution Radar Imaging of Pyroclastic Density Currents', in collaboration with University College London, and the University of Liverpool. The successful applicant will work primarily with the UK PI Dr Richard Brown (Durham) and Co-I Prof Paul Brennan (UCL), Co-I Prof Patrice Carbonneau (Durham), and Co-I Dr Silvio de Angelis, and Prof Jim McElwaine (Woods Hole, USA). The project involves developing and maintaining radar equipment designed to capture quantitative data on pyroclastic density currents during volcanic eruptions. The successful candidate will have an engineering background and expertise in the development and deployment of radar-based technology for geophysical monitoring, and in the processing and interpreting of data from such equipment. The post will involve extended travel to install, maintain and extract data from equipment in Guatemala. Experience in the field installation of geophysical monitoring equipment is essential.

Key responsibilities:

To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications. To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences. To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals. To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio. To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions. To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration. To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects. To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate. To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students. To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline. To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. [Any other specific responsibilities].

This post is fixed term for 12 months and the funding is available for this fixed period only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.



Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 31st July 2025

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

A good first degree in Engineering or related subject.

A PhD (or be close to submission) in Electrical engineering applied to radar technology or a related subject.

Experience

Experience in conducting high quality academic research. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.

Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national/international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

Experience in development and use of radar technology for geophysical monitoring of natural hazards.

Skills

Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.

Experience in on-site installation of radar equipment in challenging terrains.

Skills

* Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research and fieldwork.