Salary is £38,996 per annum inclusive of London Allowance.

The Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) invites applicants for a: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the framework of a 3-year Leverhulme-funded research project 'Spatially-resolved Ca isotope systematics in vertebrates by LA-MC-ICPMS'

The Department of Earth Sciences at RHUL (http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Earth-Sciences) is internationally-renowned for the quality of both its teaching and research, and was ranked equal 6th in the most recent UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008).

The research project at RHUL will focus on

1. Developing spatially-resolved Ca isotope analysis (44/40Ca) in vertebrate biominerals (specifically teeth) by both micromilling/ solution and laser-ablation MC-ICPMS analysis.
2. Applying the newly-developed methodology to a range of modern, archaeological and fossil teeth (human and fauna) in order to evaluate the physiological vs. dietary controls on Ca isotopes in vertebrates.

RHUL Earth Sciences houses a custom-designed/built LA-ICPMS system (RESOlution M-50 & Agilent 7500ce/cs) featuring a two-volume Laurin laser-ablation cell, a NewWave micromill as well as a GVIsoProbe MC-ICPMS that uniquely allows suppression of 40Ar to background levels, allowing precise determination of 40Ca that permits in-situ analysis of 44/40Ca by MC-ICPMS. This instrumentation will form the methodological backbone of the proposed research project. In collaboration with several (inter)national partners, applications include a range of modern human and faunal samples as well as selected (early) Neolithic and Palaeolithic human and faunal teeth, and also pre-Pleistocene faunal material (e.g. dinosaurs).

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in geochemistry, chemistry or archaeological science with a focus on radiogenic or non-traditional stable isotope analysis by MC-ICPMS. Postdoctoral research experience is desirable as well as familiarity with laser-ablation analysis and vertebrate biominerals.

The successful candidate will have good communication skills, strong quantitative and computing skills, and demonstrated ability to present scientific information to specialist and more general audiences. The chosen candidate is expected to develop and drive the research project - in close in-house collaboration with PI Müller and co-PI Thirlwall as well as (inter)national partners. This post is based in Egham in Surrey.

For further details of this post and to apply online at https://rhul.engageats.co.uk or contacting the Recruitment Team by email: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk or tel: 01784 414241

Informal inquiries can also be directed to Dr Wolfgang Müller (w.muller@es.rhul.ac.uk)

Closing date: 16^th January 2012.

Interview date: Late January 2012.

Start date: 1^st March 2012

The College is committed to equality and diversity, and encourages applications from all sections of the community.