Postdoctoral Research Assistant in The Security of Carbon Dioxide Drawdown During Enhanced Rock[...]

TN United Kingdom; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant specializing in the security of carbon dioxide drawdown during enhanced rock weathering. The role involves conducting experiments to assess carbonate mineral formation and contributing to greenhouse gas removal techniques. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and experience in laboratory geochemistry.

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory wet (geo)chemistry including pH stat experiments.
• Ability to manage own research activities and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Assess potential for carbonate mineral formation downstream from UK enhanced rock weathering sites.
• Parameterise calcite precipitation rate equations for catchment-scale modelling.

Skills

Laboratory Wet Chemistry

Analytical Geochemistry

Communication

Education

PhD in Aqueous/Environmental/Ocean Geochemistry

Tools

PHREEQC

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in The Security of Carbon Dioxide Drawdown During Enhanced Rock Weathering, Oxford

Client:

University of Oxford

Location:

Oxford, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

6d9a190ba6a9

Job Views:

3

Posted:

17.05.2025

Expiry Date:

01.07.2025

Job Description:

Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford. The Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, seeks to appoint a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Security of Carbon Dioxide Drawdown During Enhanced Rock Weathering. The post holder will report to Prof. Ros Rickaby. The main responsibility of this PDRA is to assess the potential for carbonate mineral formation downstream from the range of UK enhanced rock weathering demonstrator sites where crushed basalt is being applied. The PDRA will use pH stat experiments with calcite seeds to assess the threshold of elevated alkalinity at which calcite precipitation occurs in filtered porewaters from our Demonstrator field sites (treated and control plots/catchments), and synthetic solutions with ionic compositions constructed to mimic the envelope of chemistries of UK groundwaters and UK lowland river chemistry. Ultimately, these experiments will be used to parameterise calcite precipitation rate equations and empirical rate constants to inform catchment-scale modelling of ERW practices and GGR on UK lands. They will also have the opportunity to be part of a consortium project (ERW-GGR) which is itself a component of the UKRI funded Demonstrator phase of greenhouse gas removal techniques assessing sustainable routes for large-scale removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. As well as interacting with others in this programme, the results of the PDRA research will feed directly into the broader goals of this programme to assess the suitability of various approaches to GGR.

About you

You will hold or be close to a PhD in Aqueous/Environmental/Ocean geochemistry or a related discipline at the time of starting the post. You will have experience in laboratory wet (geo)chemistry including pH stat experiments and assessment of mineral, ideally but not restricted to calcium carbonate, precipitation rates, analytical geochemistry, and modelling of the geochemistry of fluids and rivers (e.g., PHREEQC). You will be able to work independently and manage your own research activities. Excellent communication skills are required, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings. Knowledge of river and groundwater chemistry, the geological carbon cycle, and controls on silicate weathering are desirable but not essential.