Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
This new full time post is available from 1 May 2024 on a fixed term basis until 31 October 2024.
Summary of the role
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to participate in the NERC-funded consortium project PAMANA: Philippine Mining at the National to Catchment Scale – from Legacy Impacts to Sustainable Futures. The post is available from 1 May 20234 to 31 October 2024 and supports the work of Professor Karen Hudson-Edwards.
The aim of PAMANA is to provide a holistic understanding of the legacy, present and future environmental and ecological impacts of mining on Philippine river systems and lay the foundations for a novel catchment monitoring and management infrastructure that informs sustainable mining practice. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a large, multi-disciplinary and international team of researchers and practitioners that will shape the future of sustainable mining and environmental monitoring in the Philippines. Specifically, the research associate will primarily contribute to the project’s second (Environmental impacts of contaminated sediment from legacy and contemporary mining in Philippine river catchments) and fourth (Determination of the impacts, risks and resource and bioremediation potential of mine tailings dams) work packages.
The post will include:
1. Take a lead in organising, preparing and analysing the geochemical and mineralogical compositions of samples of river sediments and mine tailings collected in Philippine river catchments. Collate these data and analyse them statistically and spatially;
2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate;
3. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline;
4. Take part in consortium workshops and cross disciplinary activities;
5. Help to publish the results in peer-reviewed journal articles.
The project will benefit from the world-class facilities both at the Camborne School of Mines and the Environment & Sustainability Institute (ESI), University of Exeter. The former is a world-leading Mining and Geoscience Unit within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, with a history dating back more than 130 years, whilst the ESI is a £30 m interdisciplinary centre leading cutting-edge research into solutions to problems of environmental change. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with the Philippine and UK PAMANA research team and to write peer-reviewed scientific articles.
About you
6. Applicants will have an environmental geoscience background, educated to first degree level in a related field of study or equivalent experience.
7. A good understanding of the environmental geochemistry and mineralogy of river sediments and mine tailings is essential. Skills in soil and tailings sample preparation and geochemical and mineralogical analysis are essential.
8. The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing and electronically, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
What we can offer you
9. Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
10. Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
11. An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
12. Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
13. A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
14. A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.