Further Particulars FELS
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 Post1.1 / 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 SPECIFICATIONQualifications, 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 POSTSection 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: ,
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 enquiries: / If you wish to discuss this post informally, please contact
Dr Sarah Sherlock telephone 01908 659559 or e-mail
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 Applicants / The Open University welcomes applications from disabled people. 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 .
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 to work in the UK / Candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in 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 Process / If you have any comments or concerns about any stage of the 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 INFORMATIONSection 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 SCIENCESHead 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 UNIVERSITYThe 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.