Durham University’s Department of Earth Sciences seeks a fixed term
Post-doctoral Research Assistant to investigate the structure and
development of Axial Volcanic Ridges on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as part of a
multidisciplinary, international team led by Professor Roger Searle. The
post will involve intensive computer processing and modelling of sonar and
other geophysical data and a period of seagoing. The appointee will also
maintain an overview of the whole project and facilitate contacts and data
exchange between the collaborating members. Applicants should have a first
degree in Earth Sciences, a PhD in a quantitative science, and experience of
computer programming and processing multibeam bathymetry, sidescan sonar or
similar datasets. Appointment will be at Grade 7.
The appointed person will have prime responsibility for analysing sonar data
from a deep-towed vehicle and merging them, in collaboration with other team
members, with other results including radiometric dates and other age
estimates, physical volcanology, petrology and geochemistry to provide a
detailed volcano-stratigraphic model of the axial volcanic ridge. An
important objective is to use acoustic backscatter as a proxy for sediment
cover and therefore crustal age; this will involve reconciling navigation
data between different instruments, deriving “absolute” backscatter measures
by correcting for radiometric and geometric distortion including
angle-of-incidence effects, as well as statistical modelling of backscatter
to give crustal age.
Suitable candidates will be early-career scientists, probably with
experience analysing sonar (bathymetry or sidescan) or other geophysical
data, with a commitment to high-quality research and publication. They will
work as part of the wider team, requiring national and international travel
and a period of seagoing. They will be expected to present their research
at project workshops, seminars, and international meetings and by
publication in high-impact journals.
Further information is available from Professor Searle
([log in to unmask]) or at http://www.dur.ac.uk/r.c.searle/.
Application may be made online at https://jobs.dur.ac.uk/default.asp.
Closing date 12 December 2007.
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