JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate
Grade:
Level B, Academic and Research
Term:
Fixed term: 8 months
Responsible to:
Dr Dominik Weiss
Liaison with:
Academics, Research Staff and Postgraduate Students
Key Working Relationships:
Dr Jamie Wilkinson, Professor Richard Herrington (Natural History
Museum) and Professor Teresa Jeffries (Natural History Museum);
other academic members and collaborators of the London Centre
for Ore Deposits and Exploration (LODE)
Summary of the post:
This post entails dual responsibilities. Firstly, the holder will be responsible for the day-to-day
management of the new LA-ICP-MS analytical facility housed in the Electron Microscopy and Mineral
Analysis (EMMA) Division of the Natural History Museum (NHM) and funded by the LODE initiative.
LODE is a collaborative research group of Imperial College and the NHM, which seeks to undertake
research of the highest international quality into the mineralogy and geochemistry of ore deposits,
working closely with industry partners. The role will involve the development of LA-ICP-MS analytical
protocols and techniques for a range of applications and samples, mostly silicate and sulphide minerals
from ore-forming environments. The second function of this post is working on the AMIRA P1060 project
‘Enhanced Geochemical Targeting in Magmatic-Hydrothermal Systems’, based out of the ARC Centre of
Excellence in Ore Deposits at the University of Tasmania, in which Imperial College is a partner
researcher. This is an exciting international project with 21 sponsor companies that focuses on mineral
trace element chemistry (primarily via LA-ICP-MS analysis) in the propylitic alteration haloes of porphyry
Cu(±Au±Mo) deposits. The post is funded from two sources and the balance between these two
responsibilities is 60% LODE lab management and LA-ICP-MS technique development; 40% research
on the AMIRA P1060 project.
Key Responsibilities:
1) LODE lab management and LA-ICP-MS technique development (60% time commitment) involving:
 Responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the new LODE LA-ICP-MS facility
 Liaising with researchers within the LODE research group and other workers at the NHM,
including training other researchers in LA-ICP-MS techniques and the possible co-supervision
of LODE PhD and MSci students
 Managing the delivery of contract analyses to LODE industry partners and working closely
with the Research Assistant engaged in carrying out this analytical work
 Developing analytical protocols and standards for new sample types
 Monitoring data quality
 Providing backup support for the (other) NHM LA-ICP-MS facility
2) AMIRA P1060 research (40% time commitment) involving:
 Liaising with Imperial College project manager (Dr Jamie Wilkinson) and international
collaborators regarding P1060 project tasks
 Developing analytical methodologies and standard reference materials for new sample types
 Carrying out fieldwork (if required), involving sample collection and recording of geological
observations
 Carrying out petrographic assessment and mineral analysis by SEM and LA-ICP-MS as
required, often involving large sample suites and data volumes
 Managing specific case study site(s) including timely delivery of results, data interpretation
and reporting
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To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy,
Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and
Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties,
which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and of eliminating discrimination. All employees
are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy,
Promoting Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice framework.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following attributes:
Qualifications:
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A PhD (or equivalent) in Geochemistry or Petrology
Experience and Knowledge:
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Experience of research in one or more of the following areas: inorganic mass spectrometry
(ideally LA-ICP-MS), electron beam techniques, analytical method development, ore deposits,
mineralogy and geochemistry, igneous petrology
Experience of giving presentations at an international level
Evidence of scientific publications in well respected scholarly journals
Knowledge of safe working practice in laboratories
Skills and Abilities:
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Ability to undertake international-class research in LA-ICP-MS and/or mineral chemistry and to
disseminate the findings in the appropriate research forum or via report-writing or journal
publication
A demonstrated ability for innovation and original research
Good organisational and multi-tasking abilities
Excellent communication skills and the ability to write scientifically, clearly and succinctly for
publication
Ability to formulate, plan and carry out a complex research programme
Highly motivated and able to quickly develop skills necessary to achieve broad project goals
Ability to work well within a cross-disciplinary team and attend team meetings