Research Associate in Volcanology

An exciting opportunity exists for a post-doctoral researcher to work on a UKRI funded project entitled “Flow and fragmentation of melts and magmas: developing a unified view through experimental, numerical and field investigations”. You will be working and based within Dr Jones’ research group at Lancaster University and will contribute to the laboratory and numerical modeling objectives of the UKRI project awarded to Dr Jones.

You will contribute to the project by supporting lab-based investigation of pyroclast textures (e.g., size, shape, density distributions) and later use these textural properties to invert for eruption conditions. You will then use these results to run a series of ash dispersion and tephra fallout models, ultimately building towards to hazard map production. Skills in numerical modeling and/or GIS are thus desirable criteria. Candidates without these numerical or GIS skills, but a background in textural analysis are still strongly encouraged to apply. Through the UKRI FLF project you will be part of a large international team, including researchers from Canada, USA and Spain and there will be opportunities for training and career development. 

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Laboratory in the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a world-class facility for research into a wide range of topics covering volcanology and planetary science. The lab is directed by Dr Jones and current research topics include pyroclastic density currents, planetary volcanism, magma fragmentation and magma rheology. It has a large equipment base for scaled analogue experiments (e.g., high-speed cameras, fluidization rigs, fluid tanks), rheometry (e.g., extensional, powder and rotational rheometers) and particle size, shape, and density characterization. The successful candidate will also benefit from being part of the wider volcanology research group comprising numerous faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students. 

This post is available for immediate start and is available up until 30/11/2026, however extensions are possible subject to funding. 

Informal inquiries are welcome and may be directed to Dr. Thomas Jones: thomas.jones@lancaster.ac.uk

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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