"Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Noble Gas Geochemistry"

Reporting to Professor Chris Ballentine, the Department of Earth Sciences seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) to join a team working on ‘Cracking the Craton’. This project is in partnership with Professors Pete Barry (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute), Toby Fischer (University of New Mexico) and Jon Gluyas (University Durham) and funded by a joint grant from UK-NERC and USA-NSF. The science focus is to investigate the crustal processes that generate gases within the crystalline continental crust and release them to the near surface. This proposal has particular application to building our understanding of how societally relevant accumulations of helium and natural hydrogen form, and how this new understanding might aid exploration for these resources. Geographically, work will investigate the generation, and release of crustal gases associated with Tanzanian section of the East African Rift.

The postholder may be required to collect field samples (gas, water, rock) from Tanzania, working closely with colleagues at the University of Dar es Salaam. Returned samples will be analysed by the postholder for their noble gas isotopic composition and trace gas abundance. The postholder will be responsible for adapting existing, and developing new, analytical methodologies on both fluid and rock samples to determine helium, hydrogen and associated noble gas isotopic and other trace gas compositions. They will apply and develop models to account for the observed gas distribution in the context of East African Rift geological system. The postholder will also be responsible for providing leadership, input and advice on comparisons between fluid release and migration with other relevant systems worldwide.

This work will provide a significant advance in our understanding of the transport of fluid and gas within crystalline rock environments over geological time.

About you

You will hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. noble gas geochemistry, trace gas geochemistry, reactive transport modelling, ancient groundwater dating) together with experience relevant to the objectives of the projects. You will also possess sufficient specialist knowledge of gas geochemistry and have field and laboratory experience working with fluids and/or fluid inclusions.

You must have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities and excellent communication skills including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at external meetings.

For further details of the role please see the job description. This post is fixed term until 31 July 2027. The post is available to start as soon as possible.

The deadline for applications is midday on 20 February 2026.

You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.