PDRA​/Senior PDRA in Organic Geochemistry

PDRA/Senior PDRA in Organic Geochemistry

The Organic Geochemistry Unit (OGU), based at the School of Chemistry, is seeking to appoint a fixed-term full-time Research Associate or Senior Research Associate in Organic Geochemistry. The position is aimed to start in August/September 2026 and ends on the 31 st of December 2028. This post is part of a recently NERC/NSF funded international project that aims to elucidate the source of specific microbial membrane spanning lipids.

This project is led by Dr B.D.A. Naafs, working together with Dr S. Oliveira (Bristol) and Prof. P Welander (Stanford).

The postholder will be embedded in the research group of Dr Naafs and OGU, a world-leading research group in the field of organic geochemistry. The team, OGU, and School are all committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Information on our policies and strategy is available on our websites, and we strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Please include a full academic CV and a brief (1-page) cover letter that includes i) a statement on how this post will build on your previous experience and what you will bring to this project and ii) how you will contribute to a collegial, inclusive and equitable community. For further information, see:

You will be responsible for the acquisition and analysis of bacterial biomass for its lipid content and interpreting this into the framework of published literature on bacterial membrane spanning lipid biosynthesis. The aim is to elucidate the source organism for a range of bacterial membrane spanning lipids, including brGDGTs and brGMGTs. Bacterial biomass will be obtained from partners (e.g. Stanford – Welander group), active culturing, and international databases (e.g. DSMZ), guided by state-of-the-art genomic approaches and framework of biosynthesis pathways.

You will have a key role in the team and have opportunities to mentor and supervise undergraduate and PhD students and develop your own portfolio. You will be supported by a dedicated technician as well as larger team as well as the outstanding OGU Facilities, use and learn using state-of-the-art analytical, culturing, and gene expression techniques. You will have opportunities to explore a wide range of organic geochemistry and biosynthesis questions, present at international conferences, and develop your own scientific and interdisciplinary ideas, including the co-production of knowledge with local and international collaborators.

We encourage interested candidates with a diverse background and experience to apply for this role. Specially we are looking for:

• A good honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology, Geography, or a related subject
• A PhD in Chemistry, Organic Geochemistry, Earth Sciences, Geomicrobiology or related disciplines
• Appointment at the Senior Research Associate level will require previous experience in research and (under) graduate supervision at PDRA level or equivalent industry-level as well as an aptitude for leadership and project supervision
• Analytical geochemistry and geomicrobiology skills and the ability to pro-actively and creatively implement wet chemistry and instrumental solutions to complex problems
• Relevant experience of designing and implementing laboratory experiments, specifically working with microbial ( bacterial) cultures and analysing t heir biomass for its lipid content using (un) targeted i nstrumental approaches
• Experience with elucidating biomarker biosynthesis pathways
• Evidence of effective science communication through publications of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Evidence of effective science communication through (inter) national conference presentations
• Experience of liaison with (external) collaborators and organisations
• Evidence of ability to work in diverse team and contribution to positive work environment
• Evidence for involvement in outreach activities

Contract type: Open-ended with fixed funding

Work pattern: 1 FTE

Grade: I/J

School/Unit: School of Chemistry

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 7th July