Research Laboratory Technician (volcanology, fluid dynamics & rheology) - 0867-26-R

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

Job summary

Lancaster University’s Lancaster Environment Centre invites applications for a Research Laboratory Technician in volcanology, fluid dynamics and rheology. You will support the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, assist with installation, operation and safe running of equipment, and provide data collection services to support current grants.

Based at Bailrigg, Lancaster, the role offers a £26,707–£30,378 salary range for a full-time, indefinite position with potential extension.

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: To be confirmed

Reference: 0867-26-R

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.

Job Description

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace.

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We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.