Dr Jason R. Williams

Profile

Teaching Assistant in Applied Geosciences
2019 – present, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
Teaching and administration for undergraduate and master’s programmes

Postdoctoral Researcher
2018 – 2019, Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera, Barcelona, Spain
Research projects investigating the pre-collisional structure of Alpine-Himalayan mountain belts

PhD in Geological Sciences
2011 – 2017, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
Thesis: Tectonic and kinematic evolution of the Alborán Domain during late orogenic extension

MSci Geology and Geophysics with a Year Abroad
2006 – 2010, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

Research interests

I have learned research skills in applied geosciences whilst teaching on the three MSc programmes and one BSc programme at the University of Leeds. Recently I have worked on several geothermal projects collaborating with geologists and geophysicists, learning specialist software to model 3D geoscience datasets and run numerical simulations.

During my PhD and postdoctoral studies I investigated patterns of crustal deformation and metamorphism in the Betic-Rif, Alps, and Oman mountain belts at a wide range of scales (kilometre to micrometre) using field and analytical techniques including regional geological mapping, microstructural analysis, metamorphic petrology, thermobarometery, Rb-Sr geochronology, and Raman thermometry.

Qualifications

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, FHEA

Student education

I currently teach on BSc Geology, MSc Exploration Geophysics and MSc Engineering Geology programmes. In addition to module leadership, my other roles include organising and leading student field trips, sourcing and supervising MSc projects, and planning industry talks and student events.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Applied Geoscience
• Basin Structure