Faculty of Science

Information for applicants

Post title: Post-doctoral Research Associate Salary: £25,134 – £29,139 per annum Grade: AC1/AC2 Post reference: 3819 Closing date: 21st September 2007 Interview date: w/c 15th October 2007

Information included in this pack:

Section: 1.0 The Post 1.1 Post details 1.2 Job description 1.3 Person specification

2.0 Applying for the post 2.1 How to apply 2.2 Application information

3.0 Faculty and University information 3.1 Faculty of Science 3.2 Department of Earth Sciences 3.3 The University Section 1.0: THE POST

Section 1.1: POST DETAILS

Post title: Post-doctoral Research Associate Reports to: Dr Sarah Sherlock, Research Fellow Unit and/or team: Department of Earth Sciences Salary details: £25,134 – £29,139 per annum Location: Earth Sciences Department, The Open University, Milton Keynes, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes Working hours: Full-time Contract type: Temporary 36 month fixed term contract

Section 1.2: JOB DESCRIPTION

Overall job purpose

This is a post-doctoral research associate position funded by NERC to examine the behaviour of the Ar-system in natural, alkali feldspar minerals. This will involve a systematic study of a range of alkali feldspars by ultra-high spatial resolution laserprobe Ar/Ar age mapping, Ar/Ar furnace cycle-heating and Multi Diffusion Domain (MDD) modelling, and high resolution electron microscopy. You will be expected to collect samples from SW England, Scotland (UK) and France, prepare and characterise samples, collect and interpret these Ar isotope data, prepare manuscripts for publication (as first author) and disseminate the results of your research at conferences and to wider audiences. The post may involve working at the weekend and in the evenings depending on the availability of the analytical facilities.

You will be working within the Ar/Ar and Noble Gas Research Laboratory in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Open University under the guidance of Dr Sarah Sherlock and Professor Simon Kelley, both Ar/Ar geochronologists who have research expertise in the development of laserprobe Ar/Ar dating, and in collaboration with Dr Martin Lee (University of Glasgow) who has research expertise in electron microscopy and in particular feldspar mineralogy, and Dr Nicolas Arnaud (Montpellier University, France) who has expertise in Ar/Ar geochronology and MDD modelling applied to feldspars. The success of this project relies on the capability to obtain accurate and precise Ar/Ar laserprobe measurements that can be modelled to reveal thermal histories, Ar/Ar cycle-heating measurements that can be modelled using MDD, both of these will be tied to detailed microtextural observations. This project is the first to combine these three established techniques and presents an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of Ar/Ar thermochronology in a strong international group.

The specific aims of the project are:

1) To produce a generic model to describe the control that microtextures exert on the diffusion of argon in alkali feldspar. 2) To establish the how geological processes such as deformation, erosion and deposition and metamorphism affect microstructure, and in turn how these affect the diffusion of argon in alkali feldspar. 3) To compare and contrast thermal history information from these alkali feldspars from both furnace cycle heating and MDD modelling, and by modelling age variation as defined by ultra-high spatial resolution UV laserprobe measurements. Section 1.3: PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications, experience and expertise

Essential

 PhD or equivalent in relevant scientific discipline  Experience in Ar/Ar geochronology  Ability to carry out world class research  Ability to make careful and precise Ar/Ar measurements  Very good communication skills (oral & written)  Well-developed self-management skills with the ability to prioritise work appropriately, manage with a number of competing demands and manage own time effectively  Ability to manage workload and deliver results to an agreed schedule  Experience of careful sample selection in the field

Desirable

 Ability to work independently, but also with others as part of a research team.  Experience of using laserprobe or furnace Ar/Ar dating techniques and reduction and interpretation of Ar/Ar age data.  Knowledge and experience of geochronology and thermochronology.  Knowledge of petrography. Section 2.0: APPLYING FOR THE POST

Section 2.1: HOW TO APPLY a) Your application should include:  Completed short form application  Full academic CV  Covering letter indicating why you are interested in this vacancy and how you match the person specification set out in section 1.3 above, addressing both the essential and desirable criteria. This letter will form part of the selection process and provide the panel with information on your skills and experience. b) Send the above documents to:

Anita Chhabra Recruitment Co-ordinator Department of Earth Sciences The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA or email to: [email protected],

to arrive by 21st September 2007 A signed hard copy will be required if you are invited for interview. Eligibility: Internal & External applicants Closing date: 21st September 2007 Pre-applications If you wish to discuss this post informally, please contact enquiries: Dr Sarah Sherlock telephone 01908 659559 or e-mail [email protected] http://www.open.ac.uk/people/s.sherlock Shortlisting: Shortlisting will be completed as soon as possible after the closing date. Interviews: Interviews will be held week commencing 15 October 2007 As part of the interview process, shortlisted candidates will be required to give a research presentation to members of Science Faculty. Disabled The Open University welcomes applications from disabled people. Applicants Disabled applicants whose skills and experience meet the essential requirements of the job will be interviewed. If you require any adjustments to enable you to attend the interview please ensure that you have provided this information on your application form. If you are called for interview, please discuss any adjustments you may require to carry out the duties of the role with the interview panel so that the appropriate arrangements and any adjustments can be made if necessary. (Under the Disability Discrimination Act, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities). Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disc or on audio cassette tape. Access details for disabled applicants are available from Anita Chhabra, Telephone no. 01908 653012 or email [email protected].

Retirement Age The Open University operates a normal retirement age of 65. Applications can only be accepted from people up to the age of 64 years and 6 months at the date of their application. This is in line with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.

Proof of eligibility Candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in to work in the UK the UK by producing verifiable documents. Details of the required documents will be sent to the successful candidate at the written offer of employment stage. If you require a work permit this will be applied for should your application for appointment be successful. To find out what visas and permits you may require in order to work in the UK please see www.ukvisas.gov.uk or telephone 0845 010 5555, the general enquiries line is open from 09.30 to 13.30, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Recruitment If you have any comments or concerns about any stage of the Process recruitment process please write to the HR Adviser - Central Academic Units, Human Resources who will look into the matter. Section 2.2: APPLICATION INFORMATION

Application procedure

The following guidelines are designed to help you submit a job application in line with our requirements.

Covering letter and supporting statement Your covering letter or statement should clearly identify how you meet the person specification. Please ensure you provide relevant examples as evidence to support your statements.

You will need to read carefully any specific instructions concerning what should be included in your application (this will be in the additional information you have concerning the job). Please ensure you comply with these instructions, as if you do not the panel will not shortlist you.

The selection panel will consider how well the information you provide demonstrates that you meet the criteria identified in the person specification.

Completing the application It is in your interest to show how your experience and personal qualities address the person specification for the role.

Please ensure that you complete all the sections of the short application form (2-sided) and enclose an up-to-date CV with your application for employment. This should include details about the following, where applicable.  Secondary and higher education (dates, educational establishment, examinations, results/grade and thesis titles if applicable).  Other technical, professional or occupational training/courses attended (dates, provider, type of training, subjects studies and qualifications attained).  Membership of professional institutes or societies.  Employment history (dates, details of your present and past employers, positions held with brief details of duties, final salary and reason for leaving). Please start with your present or most recent appointment. Remember to include unpaid or voluntary work as well as paid employment.

Please remove any information from your CV that might give an indication of your race, religion, belief, or sexual orientation, as these details are irrelevant to your application. Once completed, you must sign and date the application form to confirm that the information and any attachments are correct.

References

Three academic referees should be nominated, at least one of whom should be from your current or most recent employer. Please provide full contact details in the Referee section of the application form, stating any reservations you may have about our approaching them. Section 3.0: FACULTY AND UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

Section 3.1: THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

The Faculty of Science has four teaching departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics and Astronomy and the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute. Chemistry and PSSRI have recently moved into new purpose built accommodation, which provides modern office space, laboratories and workshops, as well as technical support services for the Science and Technology Faculties.

The Faculty has a staff of about 305, comprising around 115 academic staff (central and regional) with the balance made up of research staff, course managers, laboratory staff, technicians, administrators and secretaries. There are also varying numbers of research students and visitors.

The Science Curriculum

The Faculty’s curriculum is organised into four major discipline-based areas with named awards in Geosciences, Life Sciences, Molecular Science, and Physical Science and an interdisciplinary BSc in Natural Sciences. In recent years the faculty has pioneered a range of short topic-based courses which have proved very popular with students both as a way into more serious science study, for interest, and to help with key skills (e.g. Maths for Science). The Science Faculty also offers a modular masters programme leading to an MSc in Science with two ‘strands’ – Science Studies and Frontiers in Medical Science.

For more information, please see our website at http://www.open.ac.uk/science/index.htm

Section 3.2a: DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES

Head of Department: Prof Simon Kelley http://www3.open.ac.uk/Earth-Sciences/

The Department has a strong research and teaching reputation, gaining a top grading in the last Research Assessment Exercise (5) in a joint submission with the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute (PSSRI). Earth Sciences comprises about 22 academic staff, and 17 researchers (research fellows and post-doctoral scientists) working on a variety of topics in fields as diverse as volcanology, tectonics, igneous processes, oceanography, flood basalts, stratigraphy, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, palaeontology and environmental science. There is an active research community as staff and research students also contribute to the Centre for Environment, Planetary, Space and Astronomy Research (CEPSAR) http://cepsar.open.ac.uk/

Staff within Earth Sciences hold grants from NERC, PPARC, the Leverhulme Trust, EC, and the Royal Society. The Department is exceptionally well equipped for geochemical and isotope analysis, (facilities include plasma, noble gas and solid source mass spectrometers, an electron microprobe, ICPMS, XRF, FTIR and an elemental analyser), biogeochemistry and ecosystem science, remote sensing, and palaeontology. These laboratories are further supported by extensive rock preparation facilities, an inter-faculty electron microscope suite, and electronic and engineering workshops. Recent HEFCE strategic funding has enabled upgrading of research facilities so that we now have a new Building adjacent to the main Earth Sciences Building that accommodates interdisciplinary research in the ecosystem and geobiology areas (EGL Building). Section 3.2b: CENTRE FOR EARTH, PLANETARY, SPACE, AND ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH (CEPSAR)

Centre Director: Prof. John Zarnecki

The University has recently established a centre of research excellence in Earth, Planetary, Space, and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR). This aims to study the origins, evolution, and chemistry of materials that form the stars and planetary bodies, the processes and natural systems that shape the environment of our habitable world, and the essential properties of a Solar System that allows life to develop on one of its planets. The Centre provides an enthusiastic and focused research culture, forging collaborative alliances across disciplines, and aspires to the highest possible research status. The goal is to co-ordinate efforts in such a way as to maximise research outputs, to undertake first class research, and to take advantage of funding opportunities from UK and European sources.

Current groupings within the Centre are:  Astronomy Research Group (ARG)  Planetary and Space Science Research Institute (PSSRI)  Isotope Geochemistry Group (IGG)  Volcano Dynamics Group (VDG)  Climate and Earth Systems Group (CESG)  Ecosystems Research Group (ERG)

Many members of CEPSAR have allegiances to more than one group and the structure is intended to encourage collaborative research across these groupings whenever possible.

Section 3.3: THE UNIVERSITY

The Open University transforms lives through education. It has become by far the largest university in the UK, now teaching well over 200,000 people every year. We have expanded our activities throughout Europe and our highly rated teaching materials are used by other institutions in many parts of the world. We are consistently achieving high rankings both in research and teaching quality assessments.

Teaching is through the provision of specially designed, high quality, materials encompassing traditional print texts, television, video, CD-ROM, internet and electronic conferencing together with first class personalised tuition, learning feedback and support.

The success of the Open University is due to our outstanding staff. There are around 13,000 staff (including 7,500 Associate Lecturers). Staff and potential staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction.

We are also committed to the development of our staff to their full potential through lifelong learning, offering a range of formal and informal training and development activities to ensure that staff are able to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities and to help meet individual and University objectives. Our objective is that all staff undertake a minimum of 5 days development activity in each year.

For more information see our website: http://www.open.ac.uk Benefits and Facilities This sheet provides a summary of staff benefits and facilities. Full details will be available when you join us.

Staff Development We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs. The objective is that all staff should undertake at least five days development activity in each year – this may include attendance at formal courses or other learning e.g. use of self-study material. We invest substantial time and money in our staff development provisions and we waive fees for staff wishing to study our own courses.

Annual Leave The annual leave entitlement is 30 days (33 days for academic, academic related or research staff) in addition to all bank and other public holidays and an additional 3 days at Christmas when the University is closed.

Study Leave Permanent Central Academic staff (those on contracts of 2 years or more) are entitled to study leave on full salary for research or other approved academic purposes for two months in each leave year. For Regional Academic staff the entitlement is to study leave on full salary for two months within each period of two years completed service.

Pension Scheme Staff have the option of contributing to a Final Salary pension scheme and the University contributes around 14% of salary. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment but any preliminary enquiries should be addressed to the Pensions Section, Human Resources (01908) 652431 or 652957.

Relocation Expenses Staff are normally expected to live within a reasonable travelling distance of their place of work. The University will make a grant for expenses necessarily incurred for removals and disturbance, within certain rules and subject to a maximum payment. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment. The removal grant does not apply on appointments of less than two years duration.

Family Friendly Policies  Staff are entitled to 52 weeks maternity/adoption leave. Statutory maternity/adoption pay will be paid for a maximum period of the first 39 weeks, made up to full pay for the first 18 weeks, subject to minimum service conditions. Staff have the right to return to work at any time within 52 weeks of the maternity leave start date, again subject to certain conditions.  Staff are entitled to a maximum of 10 days paid paternity leave in connection with their wife’s/partner’s confinement in any one leave year in addition to normal leave entitlement, again subject to certain conditions.  Pre-School Childcare Subsidy; we have a means-tested childcare subsidy scheme. Those eligible are provided with a Childcare Voucher that can be used as part payment for the care of children under 5 years of age. For further information about the scheme contact Human Resources on (01908) 655050.  Childcare Vouchers; we have introduced a salary sacrifice scheme to enable staff to take advantage of tax and NI exemption on up to £243 of childcare vouchers per month. The scheme is managed by Busy Bees. Further information will be provided on appointment.

Milton Keynes based staff  Nurseries: The Mulberry Bear Day Nursery & Pre-School is a purpose-built nursery on the Walton Hall campus. It is an independent charity supported by The Open University and managed by parents. OU staff applications are given priority but there may be a waiting list in some age groups. For further information, please telephone Milton Keynes (01908) 653867, email [email protected] or see their website at www.mulberrybear.org.uk  There are a number of other private nurseries in the Milton Keynes area.

Facilities  Catering facilities providing meals, snacks and drinks  Open University Club (offering a number of club and society events, sports and social outlets).  Occupational Health Department (located on site at Walton Hall) provides professional advice to individuals and managers on all work related health issues.  Natwest; Bank sub branch on site at Walton Hall  Shop selling general provision on site at Walton Hall

Local Education: Information on local schools can be obtained from the Learning and Development Directorate, Milton Keynes Borough Council on (01908) 253489 or visit their website at: www.mkschools.net.

Smoking Policy Please note that smoking is not permitted in University buildings, bars and catering areas. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas.