Research Fellows in Modelling of Earth’s Core and Magnetic Field

University of Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

ID: 7115330 (Ref.No. ENVEE1612)
Posted: November 3, 2022

Job Description

Are you a talented researcher looking for your next opportunity? Do you have an established background in geophysics, computational fluid dynamics or applied mathematics and an interest in applying your skills to understand the dynamics and evolution of Earth’s core? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities? 

We are seeking two Research Fellows to fulfil key roles in projects investigating the dynamics of Earth’s core and generation of the geomagnetic field. The first role will focus on the influence of the overlying mantle on dynamics near the top of the outer core. The second role will focus on how magnetic field generation differed prior to the formation of the inner core. You will be based in the Deep Earth Research Group within the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds and work closely with Dr Jon Mound and  Professor Chris Davies. This work is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) standard grant "Beyond 1D Structure in Earth’s Core " and the NERC Pushing the Frontiers grant “Earth’s Core as a Layered System.” 

For the first project: You will begin by using an existing code to simulate rotating convection and magnetic field generation in a configuration that represents Earth’s present-day liquid core. You will investigate how the dynamics of the system depends on the balance of thermal to chemical driving arising from the growth of the inner core and the existence of heat flow variations at the core-mantle boundary (CMB). You will conduct detailed analysis of the solutions to characterise the system dynamics and relate observable properties of the generated magnetic fields to the control parameters. You will then quantitatively assess the semblance between simulated and observed magnetic fields on timescales ranging from centuries to millions of years. Results from your work will be combined with results from mineral physics and seismology to understand the structure and dynamics at the top of Earth's outer core.

For the second project: The scope of this work is flexible, but we anticipate investigating how the formation of Earth's solid inner core influences the behaviour of the geomagnetic field. This will initially involve running geodynamo simulations in configurations designed to represent Earth's core just before and after inner core formation.  You will conduct detailed analysis of the simulations to understand the relationships between the internal dynamics and their expression at Earth's surface and develop scaling laws to permit extrapolation of simulated results to Earth's core conditions. The role of stratified layers and CMB heat flow variations may also be investigated. Finally there is scope to incorporate these results into parameterised models of core thermal history and compare to the paleomagnetic record. 

For both projects, you will have a PhD or near completion (i.e., the initial thesis needs to have been handed in at the point of application) in geophysics, physics, applied mathematics or a similar discipline. You will also be able to conduct independent research and have evidence of peer-reviewed publications in international journals. In addition, you will have excellent communication, planning, and team working skills. 

All applicants will be considered for both roles and applicant preference for a particular project will be explored during the interview process.


To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:  

Dr Jon Mound, Associate Professor in Geophysics | Email: [email protected]

Professor Chris Davies, Professor of Theoretical Geophysics | Email: [email protected] 


Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Environment
School/Institute:  School of Earth and Environment
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £35,333 to £42,155 p.a.
Please note, the Core Dynamics role cannot be appointed above £36,386 p.a. due to funding restrictions.
Working Time:  100%
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (for 36 months due to external funding)
Release Date:  Wednesday 02 November 2022
Closing Date:  Wednesday 30 November 2022
Reference:  ENVEE1612


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