Research Laboratory Technician (volcanology, fluid dynamics & rheology)

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) at Lancaster University invites applications for a Research Laboratory Technician (volcanology, fluid dynamics & rheology). You will join the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and support its scalable analogue experiments, rheometry, high-temperature work, and data collection for active research projects in volcanology and planetary science.

The post is initially for 1 year full time with potential extension; flexible arrangements may be considered.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory
• Ability to install, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
• Strong data collection and record-keeping skills

Responsibilities

• Support design, installation, operation and safe running of laboratory equipment
• Provide data collection services to support current research grants
• Contribute to a range of themes in volcanology, fluid dynamics and rheology

Job description

Research Laboratory Technician (volcanology, fluid dynamics & rheology)

Lancaster Environment Centre

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: £26,707 to £30,378 Full time indefinite with end date

Closing Date: Thursday 08 October 2026

Interview Date: Friday 23 October 2026

Reference: 0867-26

Please note: this job is only available to current employees of Lancaster University

An exciting opportunity exists for a research laboratory technician to join the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC). You will be working within and supporting the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Laboratories and Dr Jones' research team at Lancaster University.

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Laboratory in the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a world-class facility for research into a wide range of topics covering volcanology and planetary science. It has an extensive equipment base for scaled analogue experiments (e.g., high-speed cameras, tensiometers, liquid density meter, viscometer), rheometry (e.g., extensional, powder and rotational rheometers), high-temperature experiments (> 1000°C rheometry and furnaces), and particle size, shape, and density characterization. You will also benefit from being part of the wider volcanology research group comprising numerous faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students.

You will contribute to the GFD Lab by supporting the design, installation, operation, and safe running of laboratory equipment. You will also provide a data collection service to support current research grants, so it is expected that the successful candidate will have previous laboratory experience.

The role offers flexibility in terms of the data and measurements to be completed, and candidates should make their case against at least one of the following themes:

• textural and granulometric analysis of pyroclasts/particles (e.g., size, shape, density of particles)
• computer-based image analysis of high-speed video footage from analogue experiments and Scanning Electron Microscope images of pyroclasts
• rheometry experiments (e.g., rotational, oscillatory, granular, extensional)
• high-temperature experimentation (ideally at temperatures in excess of 1000°C)

It is not essential to have experience in more than one of these themes, and strong applications can still be made against a single theme.

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked among the top 1% of universities globally, and within the UK's top 10. It is located on a beautiful campus in the North-West of England close to the Lake District National Park. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling grand environmental challenges.

LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing, and decolonising agendas.

Expected start dates are within the year 2026 however there is some flexibility. The post is initially for 1 year, full time, however further opportunities for extension may become available and part-time employment is possible.

Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr. Thomas Jones: [e-mail]