Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Quantum Diamond Microscopy and Chondrule Magnetism

Reporting to Associate Professor James Bryson, the post holder will be a
member of the Planetary Magnetism research group with the responsibility of
carrying out research as part of the UKRI Frontier Research Guarantee grant
entitled MMESSH (Utilising Meteorite Magnetism to Elucidate Early Solar System
History). The post holder will provide guidance to less experienced members of
the research group, including postdocs, research assistants, technicians, and
PhD and Masters project students if required.





The post holder will develop quantum diamond microscopy (QDM) as a new
paleomagnetic tool, and apply this promising technique to individual
chondrules to access unique insight into the paleointensity of the magnetic
field that threaded the protoplanetary disk.





They will oversee the development and operation of the geo-QDM in the
Paleomagnetism Laboratory, University of Oxford.





The post holder will be responsible for managing and conducting research and
administrative duties regarding the QDM and magnetism of chondrules as part of
the MMESSH grant. They will use specialist scientific equipment in a
laboratory environment and optimise and adopt any scientific techniques
required to access the necessary data. They will also assist with training and
data collection involving the geo-QDM in non-MMESSH related projects.





They will write and publish any relevant scientific research papers on geo-QDM
and the magnetism of individual chondrules and will act as a source of
information and advice to other group members on scientific protocols and
experimental techniques if required.





**About you**





You will hold, or be close to completion of (i.e., submitted thesis at the
time an offer is made), a relevant PhD/DPhil and have relevant experience in
paleomagnetism and/or rock magnetism. You will possess sufficient specialist
knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.





You will have the ability and desire to learn and understand new experimental
techniques, and to conduct technique development and optimisation.





You will have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated
activities in a productive and independent manner. You must have excellent
communication skills including the ability to write for publication, present
research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.





Ideally you will have experience in high-resolution magnetic microscopy,
paleointensity measurements, and laboratory-based extra-terrestrial magnetism.
You will also ideally have experience of independently explicit management of
a discrete area of a research project and actively collaborating in the
development of research articles for publication.





For further details of the role please see the job description.





This role is fixed term for 2 years and 3 months. The deadline for
applications is midday on 27 May 2025. Interviews will be held 06 June 2025.





You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your
application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark
sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your
application.





Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority
candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.