Job Description

Ref Number

B03-02529

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL SLASH (B03)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

35,930-41,255

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

25-Jul-2025

About us

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University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos - that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society - continues today.



The Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research, renowned for its innovative and interdisciplinary research to understanding complex global challenges. It brings together expertise in physical and human geography to explore critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and social justice. The department fosters an interdisciplinary approach, equipping students and researchers with the skills to critically engage with the complex interactions between people, places, and environments. Further details of the department are at https://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/.

About the role

------------------


This position is part of a funded Horizon Europe consortium called EPOC - Evaluating and Predicting the Ocean Conveyor. This is an EUR8 million project that will examine the latitudinal coherence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), reconstruct its variability over the past 150 years and analyse effective observational set-ups. UCL's role is to develop and synthesise AMOC proxy records for the Holocene and past 150 years, and to assess the coherence and variability of the deep western boundary current at a range of locations. Led by Prof David Thornalley (PI), the immediate team will consist of the PDRA and a Research Technician. The UCL Team will be embedded within the larger EPOC consortium, with exposure to and collaboration with world-leading oceanographers, modellers and climate scientists examining recent and future AMOC behaviour. It is expected that scientific results of international significance and with relevance to the IPCC will be produced.



Professor David Thornalley's research group is part of the Palaeoclimates cluster within UCL Geography. The cluster reconstructs past climate on a range of timescales (decadal to million year) and uses the knowledge created to develop our understanding of how the climate system operates and to provide longer-term context for ongoing anthropogenic climatic and environmental change. Thornalley's research team focusses on investigating changes in the ocean and climate, specializing in the North Atlantic.




Main responsibilities of this role will include (but not be limited to):


Processing of marine sediment in preparation for conducting planktic foraminiferal assemblage counts and grain size analysis, involving sediment sampling, washing sediment, weighing, drying, labelling and bagging/bottling, and chemical removal of carbonate and silica (use of basic chemical reagents and water bath). Analysing samples for sediment grain size (typically using a Coulter Counter Multisizer) Analysis and interpretation of marine proxy datasets constraining past AMOC and DWBC changes, with guidance from Prof Thornalley Preparing compiled results for publication in peer-review journals. Maintaining reliable, organized records on daily laboratory procedure, sample processing, and the data obtained.

The full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

This is a full time, fixed term post with funding available until 30

th

April 2026. The appointment is available to start on 1

st

October 2025. Funding is available at Grade 6, spine point 22-28 (including London Allowance).

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof David Thornalley (d.thornalley@ucl.ac.uk)




If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact geog.research@ucl.ac.uk

About you

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The successful candidate will hold a MSc or equivalent research experience in a relevant scientific/environmental discipline, have experience working with marine sediments, including preparing and analysis of sediment for grain size analysis on a Multisizer Coulter Counter and in depth knowledge of paleoceanographic proxies used for Holocene North Atlantic reconstruction.




The successful candidate will also have the ability to analyse, synthesize and interpret paleoclimate data, including quantitative approaches such as multivariate analysis, be able to work collaboratively and as part of a team but also be able to function independently and effectively without supervision, and work effectively under deadlines.



In depth knowledge of the AMOC and its Holocene history, including changes in the western boundary is desirable, but not essential.

Please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this page full more information.

We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible.



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff

for more information.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance


Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression, and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. More information can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/about-ucl-department-geography/equality-diversity-and-inclusion