Dr Jason R. Williams

Profile

Teaching Assistant in Applied Geosciences
2019 – present
University of Leeds
Leeds, United Kingdom
Line manager: Dr Richard E. L. Collier
Teaching and administration for undergraduate and master’s programmes

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

PhD Geological Sciences
2011 – 2017
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States
PhD advisor: Prof John Paul Platt
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
Master’s dissertation advisor: Prof Adrian Muxworthy
Thesis: Testing the use of viscous remanent magnetisation to date flood events
--
2008 – 2009
University of Los Angeles California (Year Abroad)
Los Angeles, United States
 

Research interests

University of Leeds

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 using PyTOUGH (https://github.com/acroucher/PyTOUGH) and Waiwera (https://pypi.org/project/pywaiwera).

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.

Check out my previous research projects here:
Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Safy0AwAAAAJ&hl=en)
ORCID (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2088-6892)

Qualifications

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, AFHEA

Student education

University of Leeds

I currently teach on BSc Geology, MSc Exploration Geophysics and MSc Engineering Geology programmes.

I am module leader for SOEE2940 Applied Geosciences (SOEE2940 weblink) and SOEE5110M Exploration Geophysics: Projects and Dissertations (SOEE5110M weblink). 

My other roles include organising and leading student field trips, supervising MSc projects, planning industry career talks and open days, and co-managing the geophysics field store.

Teaching at Master’s level, 2019 – 2023:

SOEE5764M 3D Structure: Techniques and Visualisation
SOEE5662M Structural Geology in Resources and Geoenergy
SOEE5176M Advanced Structural Modelling and Data Analytics
SOEE5753M Geodynamics and Basin Evolution
SOEE5724M Structural Models and Subsurface Interpretation
SOEE5734M Geomechanics
SOEE5017M Geological Investigation and Characterisation
SOEE5531M Hazards, Resilience and Sustainable Engineering
SOEE5147M Gravity and Magnetic Methods

Supervision of students’ dissertation projects for MSc Structrual Geology with Geophysics programme, on topics including volcanic and sedimentary geothermal systems, salt tectonics and sub-salt stratigraphy, and rifted margins and deltaic settings:

Aishnawy Prem Anand, 2023
Emily Walker, 2023
Rowan Berry, 2021 
Sergio Garcia Perez, 2021 
Sian Foster, 2021  
Sean Dwyer, 2021 
Aiden Cusack, 2021
Rachael Wallace, 2020
Helene Costea, 2020

Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera

Demonstrated on a week-long fieldtrip in southern Spain with SUBITOP Early Stage Researchers (PhD students) from several European academic institutions (https://www.subitop.eu/home/), 2018

University of Southern California

Graduate Teaching Assistant for a summer field course with major-level geology undergraduates (GEOL465, 2014), a major-level class with Civil and Environmental Engineering undergraduates (GEOL305, 2014), and two General Education classes (GEOL105, 2012 – 2013 and GEOL125, 2011).

GEOL465 The Geological History of Southern Spain
GEOL305 Introduction to Engineering Geology
GEOL105 Planet Earth
GEOL125 Earth History

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Applied Geoscience
• Basin Structure