Research Associate - Groundwater Geochemistry

BACKGROUND

A Research Associate position, funded by UKRI, is available for an outstanding and ambitious environmental geochemist, environmental chemist, environmental/chemical engineer (or similar) to study groundwater chemistry, (bio)geochemical processes and remediation approaches, particularly in the context of northern India and East Africa. This project aims to create a roadmap towards improved groundwater quality management in the context of the Global South by bringing together systematic approaches to improve the understanding of dominant groundwater processes and to support evidence-based decision-making for effective groundwater remediation. This position is part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project "AQUAROAD: Advancing Groundwater Quality in the Global South: Geochemical Processes, Remediation, Optimisation & Co-Designed Decision-Making Frameworks" (see: https://www.aquaroad.org/ and MR/Y016327/1).
Overall Purpose of the Job

The Research Associate will be based at The University of Manchester under the direct supervision of Dr Laura Richards (Department of Earth and Environmental Science, School of Natural Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering) but will also need to closely collaborate and/or liaise with project partners at The University of Manchester, nationally (University of Birmingham, University of Bath, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), and internationally (Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, KTH, University of Melbourne, University of Heidelberg) as necessary.

The applicant should have, or be working towards, a PhD or equivalent in aqueous geochemistry, groundwater geochemistry, environmental or chemical engineering, water remediation/treatment, low temperature geochemical modelling, or similar. The candidate should be competent in designing and implementing fieldwork and/or relevant laboratory-based activities (e.g. experimental work, environmental sample analysis). Competence and practical working experience in geochemical modelling code (e.g. PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench), GIS and/or numerical modelling and programming (e.g. R, C++, Python) would be highly desirable. Excellent scientific writing, teamwork, organisational skills and communication skills with a range of stakeholders are essential for this project. The candidate should be capable of working under their own initiative, effectively working with project partners and collaborators and co-supervising project/research (e.g. MSc, MEng) students.

The Research Associate is responsible to collaborate with AQUAROAD partners to:

1. co-design and implement field campaigns, including water and sediment sampling, to address project research questions;
2. co-design and implement laboratory-based investigations, including sample preparation and analysis and/or remediation system evaluation, to address project research questions;
3. analyse and critically interpret data, including with the support of geochemical modelling, to address project research questions;
4. input into the development of contaminant distribution models and other decision-support tools;
5. co-develop materials and contribute to knowledge exchange with relevant stakeholders to underpin the development of potential future impact arising from the project.

The Research Associate will be required to fully and clearly document procedures and methodologies, including of quality assurance/quality control and sensitivity analysis, and to write or substantively contribute to the writing of progress reports, scientific papers and other relevant outputs for publication and dissemination.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.