Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Earth Sciences

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 or 2 within UCD School of Earth Sciences.

The Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG) is a research centre hosted by University College Dublin's School of Earth Sciences and represents a diverse team of researchers providing expertise in numerous fields of geology, geochemistry, and geophysics. With the establishment of a new crustal rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) geochronology laboratory at University College Dublin's National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry there is an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to oversee and manage Re-Os geochronology projects for iCRAG. Research conducted as part of this position will be used to assist iCRAG's goal of supporting industry and society with the development of sustainable raw materials.Specifically, there is a desire to apply Re-Os geochronology at the regional-scale to assist in definitively answering long-standing and fundamental questions about the genesis of mineral resources in major sediment-hosted ore systems.

The principal objective of this position is to provide the geochronological framework behind many of the ongoing projects being undertaken at iCRAG. Researchers at iCRAG are also encouraged to develop self-driven projects that align within the broader research objectives of iCRAG and University College Dublin. Some of the current projects that require significant investment in geochronology include:

1) The Irish Orefield - Despite the high density of Zn-Pb mineralization in Ireland the spatial-temporal distribution of sulphide mineralization is not well understood. Therefore, the successful candidate will build upon the existing database by targeting other ore deposits and prospects. In addition, important chronostratigraphic constraints can be addressed through Re-Os geochronology of organic-rich sediments found in the basin.

2) Kupferschiefer - Despite being the primary source of copper in Europe, there are few constraints on the timing of mineralization and therefore no consensus on mechanism of mineralization.

3) Central African Copperbelt (CACB)- The largest orefield of its kind in the world and the planet's primary source of cobalt, has an extremely complicated geologic history. A key question to be answered is when metals were introduced to the host sediments and if subsequent remobilization has occurred during subsequent tectonic events. The CACB also lacks many important chronostratigraphic constraints which can be addressed through Re-Os geochronology of organic-rich sediments found in the basin.

The successful candidate will also benefit from the following opportunities: 

• Experience with managing and further developing a world-class geochemistry laboratory.
• The ability to collaborate with the extensive economic geology research community hosted by iCRAG.
• Access to the broader Irish research community as well as numerous analytical instruments (e.g. TIMS, MC-ICPMS, LA-ICPMS, SEM, HR-MC-ICPMS) that can supplement the candidate's research projects. 
• An opportunity to build networks with industry as part of their research projects.

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.

Postdoc Level 1 Salary Scale: 42,033 - 48,427 per annum OR

Postdoc Level 2 Salary Scale: 49,790 - 54,153 per annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 7th April 2023.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned. The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead. The PD2 post is intended for researchers that have completed PD1. As with the PD1, if you have already completed your PD2 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD2, or your total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 6 years, you should not apply and should refer to Research Fellow posts instead.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/