NanoPaleoMagnetism

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) position within the nanopaleomagnetism group of the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge. The position is funded by the ERC grant “Nanopaleomagnetism: a new multiscale approach to paleomagnetic analysis of geological materials”. Funding is available for 3 years in the first instance. Successful applicants will hold a PhD on taking up the post.

The PDRA project will focus on the application of a dual-beam focussed ion beam (FIB) workstation to perform 3D slice-and-view tomography of natural samples. The person appointed will use facilities located in the Department of Materials Science to study the positions, sizes, shapes, compositions and crystallographic orientations of magnetic particles embedded in silicate hosts using a combination of slice-and-view tomography, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). We seek candidates with a strong background in electron microscopy and specific experience with using FIB techniques. Experience with TEM, EBSD and tomography would be an advantage. It is not necessary to have a background in either Earth sciences or magnetism, and we invite suitably experienced candidates from any area of the physical sciences. The successful candidate will have a track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals, will have good communication skills and have demonstrated the capacity to perform independent research.

Interested candidates should contact Dr. Richard Harrison (rjh40@esc.cam.ac.uk) for more information about the project and formal application procedures.