Research Associate in Volcano Deformation Modelling

University of Bristol; West of England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences invites a postdoctoral researcher from January 2027 to September 2027 to work on the ERC Consolidator project, MAST. You will build and analyse a global database of volcano deformation using InSAR imagery, contributing to a comprehensive catalogue of source parameters and their geophysical implications.

You will collaborate with a processing team to integrate modelling with high-resolution workflows and apply statistical and physics-based

Qualifications

• Experience with systematic approaches to InSAR modelling at regional or global scale.
• Experience developing quality control approaches for large datasets of automatically processed InSAR data.
• Strong background in volcanology and ability to interpret volcano deformation signals in geophysical/petrological context.

Responsibilities

• Apply systematic modelling approaches to a global database of InSAR datacubes at volcanoes to build a systematic catalogue of source parameters.
• Collaborate with the processing team to integrate modelling with the high-resolution workflow and provide dataset development feedback.
• Analyse the database using statistical and physics-based approaches to inform volcano monitoring and magmatic system behaviour.

Skills

InSAR modelling

Large dataset quality control

Volcanology background

Job description

The role

The School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol seeks to appoint a postdoctoral researcher from January 2027 to September 2027 to join the team working on the ERC Consolidator project, MAST, led by Prof. Juliet Biggs. The postdoc will build and analyse a systematic database of the spatio-temporal patterns of volcano deformation using the rapidly growing global archive of satellite imagery.

What will you be doing?

• Apply systematic modelling approaches to a global database of InSAR datacubes at volcanoes to build a systematic catalogue of source parameters, ensuring the results are consistent with other geophysical and petrological constraints on magmatic systems.
• Collaborate with the processing team to integrate modelling with the high-resolution workflow and provide feedback on the dataset development.
• Analyse the database using statistical and physics-based approaches to explore the implications for volcano monitoring and the behaviour of magmatic systems.

You should apply if

• You have experience with systematic approaches to InSAR modelling at a regional or global scale.
• You have experience developing quality control approaches for large datasets of automatically processed InSAR data.
• You have a strong background in volcanology and are able to interpret volcano deformation signals in the context of wider geophysical and petrological constraints.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term 04/01/2027 to 30/09/2027

Work pattern: 35 hours/week

School/Unit: Earth Sciences

Shift pattern: Monday - Friday

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Monday 2nd November

For informal queries please contact: Professor Juliet Biggs. [e-mail]

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£39,906 to £44,746 per annum. Grade: I