Job reference: SAE-030436
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Hours Per Week: 35
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 23/12/2025
Contract Duration: 14 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

Job Description

A Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position is available for a planetary scientist to undertake research into lunar samples. The position is in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, under the direction of Prof. Katherine Joy and Dr. Joshua Snape. You will join a leading research group of planetary scientists and isotope geochemists with expertise in the analysis and interpretation of extra-terrestrial materials. You can find out more about the research group at https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/planetary-science/ . The post is funded by an STFC Consolidated Grant and a Royal Society University Research Fellowship awarded to The University of Manchester.

We seek candidates with an enthusiasm for investigating the petrological and chronological evolution of rocks on the Moon. In the project you will use a range of petrological lab approaches, including electron beam and ICP-MS, and petrological modelling codes to study the crystallisation pathways and emplacement histories of a suite of lunar ancient evolved magmatic rocks, as well as experimental petrology techniques (e.g. internally-heated pressure vessel and gas-mixing furnace) to investigate the early magmatic evolution of the Moon.

You should have (or will soon obtain) a PhD in Geology, Earth Sciences, Planetary Science or a related discipline, and a publication track record commensurate with your academic experience. You will have experience of working in a research laboratory and of undertaking quantitative analyses of geological or extra-terrestrial samples.

As this role involves research at a postgraduate level, applicants who are not an EEA national or a national of an exempt country and who will require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) Points Based System in order to take up the role, will be required to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate and will need to obtain this prior to making any official visa application UKVI.

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.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Katherine Joy

Email: katherine.joy@manchester.ac.uk

Name: Joshua Snape

Email: joshua.snape@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

Take a look around the company https://www.manchester.ac.uk/