Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Carbonate Mineralisation

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Carbonate Mineralisation to join the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford. You will work with Professor Julie Cosmidis on the NERC-funded project “Decoding carbonates: towards predictive control of carbon mineralisation through high-throughput mineralogy and machine learning.” This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative research at the interface of mineralogy, geochemistry, and data science. You will be part of the Microbe-Mineral Lab, a collaborative group focused on understanding carbonate biomineralisation processes using advanced experimental approaches and machine learning techniques. The role offers access to state-of-the-art microscopy and Raman facilities and opportunities to collaborate widely across the Department.

You will be responsible for developing and applying high-throughput experimental and analytical methods to investigate how environmental conditions and organic additives influence carbonate mineral formation. This will involve designing and refining experimental protocols, working with in-situ microscopy and Raman spectromicroscopy, and analysing complex datasets to test and develop new hypotheses. You will manage your own research activities, coordinate multiple aspects of the project to meet deadlines, and contribute to the preparation of publications and presentations. You will also support wider project development by contributing ideas for new research directions and funding opportunities. As part of the team, you will provide guidance to students and junior researchers, support laboratory management tasks, and collaborate with colleagues across partner institutions. There will also be opportunities to engage in teaching and supervision of master’s students.

It is essential that you hold, or are close to completing, a PhD/DPhil in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. You should have strong knowledge of mineralogical or geochemical processes and experience working within laboratory-based research environments. Experience with mineralogical characterisation techniques such as optical microscopy, Raman spectromicroscopy, or similar methods is required, along with basic coding skills. You should be able to manage your own research, contribute to publications and presentations, and communicate effectively with a range of audiences. A proactive approach, attention to detail, and the ability to contribute ideas for new research and funding are important for success in this role.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 3 years.