Specialist Technician in Biogeochemistry

The role

A unique opportunity exists for a Biogeochemistry Field and Laboratory Research Technician to join a multidisciplinary consortium of researchers working on the UKRI REFRESH project, which will be Researching the role of dissolved organic matter as a nutrient resource in freshwater ecosystems. This offers an exciting prospect for a suitably qualified applicant to develop their research skills in a suite of exciting field experiments, and in our state-of-the-art analytical laboratories. If you hold a BSc and/or MSc level qualification, you’ll have the opportunity to feed in this training alongside any experience you have from other comparable role/s.

This opportunity would be ideal for an Environmental Technician involved in field sampling and lab analysis, a Research Assistant in Environmental Science supporting projects in environmental biogeochemistry, a Technician in Environmental Chemistry with experience in organic geochemistry and isotope analysis of environmental samples, an Ecological Field Technician focused on biogeochemical fieldwork, or a recent BSc or MSc Graduate with hands-on experience in environmental research.

What will you be doing?

You will be working closely with the research team to:

• conduct field experiments and monitoring, collect samples and apply analytical approaches to determine the chemical composition of river and biotic water samples from experiments running across the UK.
• set up and run field sampling campaigns and field mesocosm experiments to evaluate the changing composition of the organic matter pool.
• run a suite of isotope dosing experiments to investigate how organic matter is taken up and processed by stream biota.
• carry out sample preparation and operation of analytical instruments in the laboratory to generate quality assured analytical data to support the writing and publication (by others) of journal articles from the nutrient workstream of the programme

be a co-author on all publications arising from the programme, where they involve data produced from your fieldwork or sample analyses.

You should apply if

YYou will have strong experience of field and laboratory-based biogeochemical research. Specialist knowledge of mesocosm-based experiments, analytical environmental science and stable isotope (¹³C, ¹⁵N) research is particularly welcomed. A degree in ecology, environmental science, environmental chemistry, or similar is also beneficial. You will be able to work independently and as part of a team, with good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work flexibly according to the requirements of the role. A full UK (or equivalent) driving licence is also required.

Please note that this role internally is recognised as ‘Level 1 Specialist Technician’. 

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/12/2028

School/Unit: School of Geographical Sciences

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 28/01/25

For informal queries, please contact: Professor Penny Johnes, penny.johnes@bristol.ac.uk

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