Electron Probe Microanalyst
About the role
The Natural History Museum (NHM) is a world class research institution, employing around 350 scientists who write over 700 scientific papers a year, based on our extraordinary natural sciences collections. This project will be funded by an NHM Science Investment Fund, and some elements of the project will be undertaken across departments, between the Imaging and Analysis Centre of the Core Research Laboratories, and the Mineral and Planetary Sciences division of the Earth Sciences Department. The Imaging and Analysis Centre of the Museum combine broad expertise and cutting-edge equipment to carry out complex non-destructive analyses of naturally occurring samples. The laboratories have a long experience of research in planetary sciences using the analysis of extraterrestrial materials.
This is a 3-month role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead cutting edge instrument development, under the guidance of instrument specialists and researchers. The aim of the project is to develop an analytical protocol for the detection of micrometre-scale PGE alloys in primitive meteorites using the automated mineral analyser TESCAN TIMA. The project will also apply new methodology using the high-sensitivity, annular Bruker FlatQUAD EDS silicon drift detector at low accelerating voltage to quantify PGE alloy grains in meteorites with a spatial resolution below 80 nm.
About you
1 PhD in geosciences or currently enrolled in a PhD in geosciences.
2 Demonstrative experience in electron probe microanalysis using analytical SEM.
3 Experience in EDS analysis and interpretation of results.
4 Good understanding of basic concep ts in geochemistry.
5 Experience in communicating scientific results in written form and as presentations.
6 Ability to work well as part of a team.
What we offer
* 5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
* Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
* Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
* Life insurance
* Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
* Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
* We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
* Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special of fers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sitesand other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
* Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
How to apply
If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum's careers portal,
at https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/
Closing date: 9am, Monday 5 December 2022
Interview date(s) w/c 19/20 December
Salary: £39,558 per annum (pro-rata) 
The Natural History Museum (NHM) is a world class research institution, employing around 350 scientists who write over 700 scientific papers a year, based on our extraordinary natural sciences collections. This project will be funded by an NHM Science Investment Fund, and some elements of the project will be undertaken across departments, between the Imaging and Analysis Centre of the Core Research Laboratories, and the Mineral and Planetary Sciences division of the Earth Sciences Department. The Imaging and Analysis Centre of the Museum combine broad expertise and cutting-edge equipment to carry out complex non-destructive analyses of naturally occurring samples. The laboratories have a long experience of research in planetary sciences using the analysis of extraterrestrial materials.
This is a 3-month role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead cutting edge instrument development, under the guidance of instrument specialists and researchers. The aim of the project is to develop an analytical protocol for the detection of micrometre-scale PGE alloys in primitive meteorites using the automated mineral analyser TESCAN TIMA. The project will also apply new methodology using the high-sensitivity, annular Bruker FlatQUAD EDS silicon drift detector at low accelerating voltage to quantify PGE alloy grains in meteorites with a spatial resolution below 80 nm.
About you
1 PhD in geosciences or currently enrolled in a PhD in geosciences.
2 Demonstrative experience in electron probe microanalysis using analytical SEM.
3 Experience in EDS analysis and interpretation of results.
4 Good understanding of basic concep ts in geochemistry.
5 Experience in communicating scientific results in written form and as presentations.
6 Ability to work well as part of a team.
What we offer
* 5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
* Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
* Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
* Life insurance
* Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
* Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
* We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
* Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special of fers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sitesand other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
* Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
How to apply
If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum's careers portal,
at https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/
Closing date: 9am, Monday 5 December 2022
Interview date(s) w/c 19/20 December
Salary: £39,558 per annum (pro-rata)
