Research Fellow in Petrology - AR3096LS

Start Date: June 2025

Fixed Term: 4 Years

Applications are sought for a committed Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work with Dr Sami Mikhail conducting research for a NERC funded project entitled Quantifying changes in biomass burial over geological time.  The primary duties will be to plan and conduct sampling expeditions in Scotland, France, Italy, and Spain with members of the project team. The aim will be to determine the petrogenesis of igneous and metamorphic samples from migmatite complexes using field observations and laboratory analysis. We will sample the melt and the residuum in anatectic zones to allow us to determine the partitioning behaviour and stable isotope fractionation of nitrogen (among other systems) during crustal melting. The big-picture purpose of this work is to enable a quantitative assessment for how plate tectonics and changes in biomass burial have co-contributed to shaping Earth’s present-day environmental conditions, with the bolder aim of charting the co-evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in geological science with expertise in igneous or metamorphic petrology. 

The post is available for 48 months starting June 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Financial contribution to relocation
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme

A range of wellbeing initiatives including membership of Peppy, a health application that connects staff to expert practitioners and personalized support on health matters

For Further details of the project please contact Dr Sami Mikhail (sm342@st-andrews.ac.uk).

Applications are particularly welcome from people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ Disabled and Neurodiverse staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities or Neurodiversity Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/

Interview Date: 24 April 2025

Please Quote ref: AR3096LS

Further Particulars: AR3096LSFPs.doc

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