Ref Number
B03-03170
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
UCL SLASH (B03)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
See advert text
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
20-Jul-2026
University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today.
The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research, renowned for its innovative and interdisciplinary research to understanding complex global challenges. It brings together expertise in physical and human geography to explore critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and social justice. The department fosters an interdisciplinary approach, equipping students and researchers with the skills to critically engage with the complex interactions between people, places, and environments.
This position is part of a funded Horizon Europe consortium called EPOC – Evaluating and Predicting the Ocean Conveyor. This is an €8 million project that will examine the latitudinal coherence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), reconstruct its variability over the past 150 years and analyse effective observational set-ups. UCL’s role is to develop and synthesise AMOC proxy records for the Holocene and past 150 years, and to assess the coherence and variability of the deep western boundary current at a range of locations. The immediate team will consist of the PI, PDRA and a Research Assistant. The UCL Team will be embedded within the larger EPOC consortium, with exposure to and collaboration with world-leading oceanographers, modellers and climate scientists examining recent and future AMOC behaviour. It is expected that scientific results of international significance and with relevance to the IPCC will be produced.
Example duties and responsibilities include:
- Processing of marine sediment in preparation for conducting planktic/benthic foraminiferal assemblage counts and grain size analysis, involving sediment sampling, washing sediment, weighing, drying, labelling and bagging/bottling, and chemical removal of carbonate and silica (use of basic chemical reagents and water bath).
- Analysing samples for sediment grain size (typically using a Coulter Counter Multisizer) and foraminiferal faunal assemblages.
- Maintaining reliable, organized records on daily laboratory procedure, sample processing, and the data obtained. This will include keeping timesheets.
The full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
This is a full time, fixed term post with funding available until 30th June 2027. The appointment is available on 1st October 2026. Funding is available at Grade 6B, spine point 25-28 (including London Allowance).
Informal enquiries may be made to Prof David Thornalley ([email protected]).
If you have any queries regarding the application process, or if you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the department’s research administration team: [email protected]
The successful candidate will have an MSc or equivalent research experience in a relevant scientific/environmental discipline. As well as experience working with marine sediments, including preparing and analysis of sediment for sortale silt grain size analysis on a Multisizer Coulter Counter, and foraminiferal based ocean proxies.
Please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this page full more information.
This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum time in site to be determined between successful candidate and line manager. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working, and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression, and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and
students. More information can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/social-historical-
sciences/geography/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion
