Research Associate (Leverhulme) - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - 105138 - G

Position Details 

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608, with potential progression once in post to £39,906  

Grade 6

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract up to August 2028  

Closing date: 26 July 2026

Background 

This is a Research Associate position to assist in palaeobiological research conducted as part of the project “New Insights Into Early Mammal Evolution From Exceptional Scottish Fossils” funded by the Leverhulme Trust. 

Role Summary 

• Work within the project “New Insights Into Early Mammal Evolution From Exceptional Scottish Fossils”.

• Support the project team through contributing to fieldwork, lab processing of fossil specimens, and the collection and analysis (segmentation) of computed tomographic (CT) data. 

• Contribute to publications.

Main Duties 

• Participate annually in semi-remote coastal fieldwork in Scotland with wider team to collect fossils using appropriate tools. 

• Undertake field first aid and field equipment training as required.

• Organisation and documentation of collected fossil specimens.

• Lab-based preparation of fossil specimens, potentially including occasional off-site working. 

• Operate CT scanner to collect computed tomographic data for fossil specimens.

• Analyse (manually segment) and interpret CT data independently using specialist software. 

• Present research outputs, including drafting figures for academic publications, for example at seminars and as posters.

• Contribute to data management and archiving. 

• Provide guidance and training as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research

• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification or Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area: e.g. geology, palaeontology, biology

• Extensive practical experience of manual segmentation and interpretation of CT and/or synchrotron data (ideally from fossil vertebrates) using standard software packages

• Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork as part of a team in semi-remote areas

• Experience of effectively organising and managing CT data

• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively

• Ability to access and organise resources successfully

• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Professor Richard J. Butler, email: [email protected]

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview. 

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