New permanent post Trinity College Dublin

Post Summary

This Assistant Professor appointment will be in the broad field of Sedimentology. The appointee will contribute to undergraduate teaching, research and student supervision in the School. The successful candidate will develop an active externally funded programme of research linked to Earth and Environment – an interdisciplinary research theme in the School. The Discipline of Geology at Trinity College Dublin is committed to education that emphasises the importance of field-based investigation and observational skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate their experience in both teaching and conducting field-based sedimentology, together with laboratory-based microscopic description of sedimentary rocks.

This post is tenable from 1^st September, 2013.

Background to the Post

Geology, which is part of the School of Natural Sciences, has recently been strengthened by the addition of a new Chair (Professor Kamber), an Assistant Professor in Igneous Petrology (Dr. Tomlinson), an industry-sponsored position in Economic Geology, and this appointment. This new post concerns itself with the formation and evolution of sedimentary rocks. Using a combined approach of field observation, petrographic information and geochemical data, the candidate’s research will contribute to deeper and more quantitative understanding of earth surface processes, and the evolving biosphere. The Discipline of Geology values observational and quantitative skills that are used to investigate the complex interactions between the solid Earth, the biosphere and the hydrosphere.

The School’s four cross-disciplinary research themes: Ecology and Evolution; Earth and Environmental Science; Society, Space and Environment; and Molecular and Comparative Physiology are linked via the Centre for the Environment. The successful candidate’s research will provide further opportunities for cross-disciplinary research both within and between schools in Trinity College Dublin. It will also strengthen links with University College Dublin, via the National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry at University College Dublin.

Standard Duties of the Post

The exceptional individual appointed, whilst being based in Geology, will be expected to foster interdisciplinary, collaborative research and teaching. S/he will be enthusiastic to develop further their internationally recognised research profile, whilst contributing to undergraduate and post-graduate level teaching and supervision in the School. S/he will also undertake such administrative responsibilities as directed by the Head of School or their nominee.

Funding Information

The School will be able to provide a modest start-up package for the new Assistant Professor. In addition, we have excellent infrastructure in place particularly with respect to rock preparation and the analytical laboratories associated with the Geochemistry Laboratory in Geology (http://www.tcd.ie/Geology/geochemfacility/) and Organic Petrology (http://www.tcd.ie/Geology/
palynolfacility/organicpet.php) and the Centre for the Environment (http://www.tcd.ie/
environment/facilities/labs.php). In addition, Trinity College Dublin operates a variety of advanced micro-beam microscopes for sub-microscopic analysis of solid specimens.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Candidates must either hold a Ph.D. in a relevant research area or have submitted their Ph.D. thesis for examination. In the latter case, the application must be accompanied by a letter from the principal supervisor of the Ph.D.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)

Essential

·         Evidence of research potential and achievements, including publications, in a cognate area.

·         Ability to contribute to undergraduate teaching in the School, including fieldwork.

Desirable

·         Experience of both small and large group teaching at undergraduate level.

·         Experience of supervising undergraduate dissertations.

·         Experience of teaching at Masters level.

·         Experience of developing new courses and teaching material, including field-based geology.

·         Experience of working in an interdisciplinary environment.

·         Experience of research student supervision.

·         Experience and documented success in obtaining research funding.

Skills & Competencies

·         Demonstrated potential to manage and develop courses in a University setting.

·         Excellent communication skills.

·         Demonstrated enthusiasm for, and success in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.

·         Enthusiasm and aptitude for a collegial style of working, for collaborative and interdisciplinary work in teaching and research, and for international networking.

 Closing date: 5th June!!!

Candidates wishing to discuss the lectureship post informally and in confidence should email Professor Celia Holland, Head of School: cholland@tcd.ie  and Professor Balz Kamber, Chair of Geology: kamberbs@tcd.ie