Research Fellow in Volcano Deformation

Research Fellow in Volcano Deformation 

Salary: Grade 7 (£39,355 – £46,735 p.a. depending on experience) 

This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Would you like to help improve how we forecast volcanic eruptions? Do you have experience in understanding deformation of active or ancient magmatic systems? Are you keen to be part of a multidisciplinary project that brings together techniques, ideas, and people from a range of research fields?

This is an opportunity to join the exciting MAGMA (Magma Accommodation and Ground Movement Analysis) project funded by NERC, which aims to transform volcano deformation modelling. MAGMA will use analyses of ancient intrusions, both exposed at Earth’s surface and imaged geophysically, and rock mechanic experiments to benchmark how host rock physical properties and deformation patterns change with space and time during magma emplacement. These findings will inform a new generation of Finite Element computational models that seek to include the complex behaviour of rocks into volcano deformation models.

You will join and work with Dr Craig Magee (providing expertise in magma emplacement and host rock deformation), Dr Susanna Ebmeier (volcano monitoring), Professor John Forth (rock mechanic experiments), and Dr James Hickey (Finite Element modelling of volcanoes) to achieve MAGMA. You will also benefit from interacting with project partners Dr Janine Kavanagh, Professor John Howell, Dr William McCarthy, and Dr John Browning.

Your role will focus on analogue modelling and Finite Element modelling. You will hold a PhD (or close to completion) in the Earth Sciences, have experience in conducting geological fieldwork, and have a working knowledge of magma emplacement and volcano deformation. Experience in conducting analogue modelling, numerical modelling and coding, and science communication is desirable.

Overall, you will become an integral member of the MAGMA team, helping deliver a new generation of volcano deformation models that can account for complexity and uncertainty in the host rocks, which will improve the reliability of eruption forecasts.

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

What we offer in return

•    26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

•    Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary

•    Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

•    Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.

•    Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Craig Magee, Senior Research Fellow

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6500

Email: c.magee@leeds.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 03 Apr 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £39,355 to £46,735 per annum