research associate

The role

The PDRA will join a large interdisciplinary team, funded by GCRF, to reduce risk from natural hazards in the Guatemalan cordillera. The country has a high occurrence of a variety of geophysical natural hazards, and structural inequalities that impinge upon significant swathes of the population. They will work with Prof Matthew Watson, Dr Jeremy Phillips and Dr Mark Woodhouse on two critical parts of the project - a structured review of historical hazards case studies across the region of interest and modelling analysis of likely future events. The role focus on a range of case studies from different triggers with variant outcomes, including the Panabaj landslide in 2005 and the eruption of Volcan de Fuego in 2018. These events offer insights into physical trigger mechanisms and societal impacts, as well as community response and rebuilding and, although all different, in concert provide an insight into the lifecycle of disasters in Guatemala.

What will you be doing?

A review of the case studies is one important element of the role and will bridge both physical and social science. The role will require leading the analysis and modelling of initiation of landslides, debris flows and pyroclastic density currents, including estimating threshold probabilities of exceedance built from a combination of existing data, and new analyses. You will undertake modelling studies with freely-available flow models to underpin the creation of hazard scenarios and maps for dissemination to Guatemalan stakeholders. You will also be expected to take a lead role in engagement with scientific partners (INSIVUMEH and Guatemalan University partners) for the acquisition of field observations for model development, testing and calibration, with the support of the project team.

You should apply if

The role requires a PhD in Earth Sciences or related physical science. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to collect and process geophysical data and to use empirical data-driven models and simplified physical/statistical models. You must be able to speak Spanish fluently and having some experience of working in Latin America, particularly Guatemala, whilst not essential, is highly desirable. You should have some experience of knowledge exchange with key stakeholders and end-users of research, interdisciplinary working, particularly with social sciences, and experience in volcanology or natural hazards



We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.  « Return to the search results