Research Fellow

Fixed Term End Date: 02/06/2026

The University of Brighton is currently recruiting a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (AC2) to work on the NERC Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Science funded project ‘SCREED: Supergene enrichment of carbonatite-hosted rare earth element deposits’.

The project is in collaboration with Camborne School of Mines, with opportunity to work on LA-ICPMS and EMPA and the University of Plymouth, working on U-Th-He geochronology. A proposal to work at the Diamond Synchrotron facility is planned as part of the project.

You will work with Prof. Martin Smith to investigate the mineralogy, geochemistry and microbiology of the carbonatite weathered zone and their consequences for REE resources.

You will have the opportunity to work in the geochemical laboratories at the University of Brighton (XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, XPS, SEM) and with staff from the Brighton Integrative Genomics Unit.

The successful candidate should have:

• Experience of analytical techniques including one or more of XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, XPS, U-Th-He geochronology or soil biota (meta)genomics.
• Sufficient, up to date breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes and evidence of commitment to engage in continuous professional development.
• Competent IT skills with Excellent communication skills both oral and written.

The appointment is full time for a fixed term position on a project that, at present time, will end on the 2nd June, but there is a possibility of an extension of 2-4 months. The University of Brighton welcomes job sharing applications. 

For further information on the project and the post please contact martin.smith@brighton.ac.uk.

Further details:

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles, we operate an agile working system with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.

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