This Post-~Doctoral Research Associate position is part of the UKRI NERC project “Can rocks palaeomagnetically record palaeo-stress?”. Our recent modelling reveals that relatively modest stresses of ~0.1 GPa – common in active fault zones– can disturb supposedly stable magnetic recordings in rocks. This overturns the long-held belief that only extreme impacts could reset remanent magnetisation. To test this breakthrough, you will combine cutting-edge experimental techniques. Using the world’s most advanced transmission electron microscopy, including off-axis electron holography, you will directly image stress-induced magnetic changes at the nanometre scale. These results will provide the first predictive framework for stress-induced magnetisation. If confirmed, this will not only reshape palaeomagnetic research but also unlock a powerful new tool: the ability to reconstruct palaeo-stress fields in rocks. This position at Imperial will experimentally determine the response of magnetic signals to stress under the guidance of Adrian Muxworthy, Rafal Dunin-Borkowski and Tom Mitchell, whilst the numerical aspects of the project will be undertaken at Edinburgh. The electron-holography will be undertaken during visits to Rafal Dunin-Borkowski’s laboratory in Jülich, Germany.

• You will have extensive knowledge of detailed knowledge of a range of electron microscopy methods including TEM magnetic imaging and FIB slice-and-view, and sample preparation for these methods.
• You will have published or submitted several first author peer-reviewed scientific papers.
• You will be comfortable working independently, with several visits to Jülich Germany.
• You will have a PhD in Material Science, Earth Science or Physics or similar. No previous knowledge of Earth Science is required.