CONTACT

CAREER OBJECTIVES

  To follow my interest in palaeontology through academia or industry.  I would be particularly interested in a role which combined fieldwork with research pertinent to modern science. 

SUMMARY

  7 years of geology related education and field experiences, focusing on palaeontology, together with development of academic, curation, computer, teamwork and presentation skills.  An extensive private study of palaeobiology, particularly with relation to the English Chalk.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

·          Micropalaeontology M.Sc. - University College London (2005-2006) ---------------------------------------- Graduated with Distinction

o         Completed this world-class training course for micropalaeontologists and biostratigraphers.

o         Detailed study of the major microfossil groups and their applications.

o         Thorough training in field and laboratory procedure.

o         I expect joint authorship on several of the publications arising from this work.

·          Postgraduate classes - University of Kansas (2002-2003) ------------------- Palaeoecology A, Carbonates A, Biometry B, Palaeosols B

o         Studied whilst working as a research assistant, investigating the fauna of the Early Cambrian Sekwi Formation, Canada.

o         Findings, including a new species description, published in the Journal of Paleontology with myself as lead author (see below).

o         1-month multidisciplinary geological expedition to the Mackenzie Mountains, Canada, primarily to recover new fossil material.

o         I have prepared much of the recovered material myself, using specially developed techniques.

o         A student continuing my preparation work visited the UK from Kansas especially to train under my supervision.

o         I expect joint authorship on several of the publications arising from this work.

·          Geology Single Honours B.Sc. - Southampton University (1998-2001) --------------------------------------------- First Class Honours

o         Received the Hodson-Najoan Prize for the best final year geology project.

o         Awarded the Dave Johnson Prize by the Tectonics Studies Group for the best undergraduate mapping project nationally.

·          A/AS Levels - Worthing VI^th Form College (1995-1997) --------------------------------------------------- Geology A, Biology C, Physics E     

·          GCSEs - St Andrew’s High School for Boys, Worthing (1991-1995) ---------------------------------- 2 A* grades, 6 A grades, 1 B grade

PERSONAL PROFILE

  British, white male, born 4/3/79.  Married in May 2004.  One child, Harry, born November 2007.  Primary interests are geology, computers, art, exercise and socialising.

PUBLICATIONS

Bown, P., Dunkley-Jones, T., Young, J.R., Randell. R.,   2009.  A Palaeogene record of extant lower photic zone calcareous nannoplankton, Palaeontology, 52, 2, 457-496.

Bown, P.R., Dunkley-Jones, T., Lees, J.A., Randell. R., Mizzi, J.A., Pearson, P.N., Coxall, H.K., Young, J.R., Nicholas, C.J., Karenga, A., Singano, J., Wade, B.S.  2008.  A Paleogene calcareous microfossil Konservat-Lägerstatte from the Kilwa Group of coastal Tanzania, GSA Bulletin, January/February 2008, 120, 1/2, 3-12.

[This paper made the front cover of the GSA Bulletin]

Parker, S.  2007.  The World Encyclopedia of Fossils and Fossil Collecting, Lorenz Books (Anness Publishing), London, 256pp.

[I have contributed 10% of the text for this publication]

Randell, R., Lieberman, B., Hasiotis, S., and Pope, M.  2005.  New chancelloriids from the Early Cambrian Sekwi Formation, Northwest Territories, Canada with a comment on Chancelloriid affinities, Journal of Paleontology, 79, 5, 987-996.

WEBSITES

British Chalk Fossils; www.chalk.discoveringfossils.co.uk

I have developed this expanding online resource to aid in the identification and understanding of the diverse fauna and flora of the British Chalk.  The collections of major museums, including the Natural History Museum London, are used to illustrate fossil species whilst Recent specimens are used to explain the anatomy.  Rated 1^st internationally by Google for “chalk fossils”.

Discovering Fossils; www.discoveringfossils.co.uk

I am a key partner in this highly successful site, the leading online resource for collecting and understanding fossils in the UK, which receives around 30,000 visitors a month.  A geology club has been developed around the site, and I regularly co-lead fieldtrips involving large groups of amateurs.  Rated 1^st internationally by Google for “fossils”.

RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT

PDF Ltd (Sep'06-Present)

1 year as a geologist for a highly successful oil and gas exploration consultancy with significant expertise in the exploration of frontier regions.  Key company strengths are basin modelling, structural modelling, seismic interpretation and sequence stratigraphic interpretation.   I have been particularly involved with projects in East Africa, the Indian Ocean and the North Sea.

Birbeck, University College London (Sep’05-Dec’05)

 Assisted with the tuition of a palaeoecology course for mature students.

University of Kansas (Sep’02-Jul’03)

 1 year working as a research assistant under the supervision of Professor Bruce Lieberman.  Primary responsibilities were the preparation,

 curation, and scientific description of recently procured trilobite and chancelloriid material   from the Early Cambrian of Canada.  

SKILLS PROFILE

Communication - production of high quality written, visual, and oral reports has been a regular requirement of my education.  High marks have reflected my abilities in these exercises, and graphical presentations have demonstrated my strong artistic flair.  I have co-led amateur geological fieldtrips and assisted with the tuition of a university course.

Team work - numerous aspects of my academic career and employment have involved working as part of a group; examples include posters, research projects and oral presentations.  My energetic contribution has enabled the successful completion of team-fieldwork in remote and hazardous regions such as the Canadian Artic, where mutual support amongst colleagues was essential for survival.

Independent work - much of my education and private study has required self-motivational skills and an ability to show creativity and initiative whilst thinking for myself.  I have worked independently both as a researcher whilst reinterpreting the affinities of the Chancelloriids, and as a field-worker whilst mapping under difficult field conditions in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain.

Organisation - my management skills are excellent, especially as regards finance and time. Successful execution of field work, employment, and study abroad has required a very high level of preparation.

IT skills - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Photoshop, and their various Mac and PC equivalents have been successfully applied in all areas of work.  I run my own website (see below) and I have completed a course in Visual Basic programming.

Research - independent research has been a strong theme of my career and private studies. For example, before describing a new species of chancelloriid as part of my work as a research assistant, it was necessary to gain a full knowledge of previous work.  This was scattered in numerous obscure journals published throughout the last century; typically foreign publications requiring translation.

Fieldwork – extensive and varied field experience, including 1 month in the highly remote Mackenzie Mountains of the Canadian Arctic.

Curation - a very strong background in techniques of preparation, preservation, identification, and organisation of scientific specimens, executed in numerous institutions and on my own collection.  My preparatory work is of particular note for both its scientific and aesthetic quality.  A student has recently travelled from the University of Kansas to be trained in fossil preparation under my supervision.  

Academic contacts - a wide network base within the palaeontological community.

PROJECTS & EXPERIENCE

Websites (2003 - ) – See above.

Private collection (1986 - ) - I have amassed an extensive private collection of fossils, largely form the Chalk Group of Sussex.  This collection contains 2000+ specimens, all prepared to the highest possible scientific standards and correctly identified; a process which has required copious amounts of background research, and museums / expert consultation. 

Baldwin Plesiosaur (2003) – I was part of a team which excavated a substantial Elasmosaurus skeleton from the Pierre Shale, Nebraska, USA, in association with University of Nebraska State Museum.

Peacehaven ammonites (2000-2001) - I arranged and supervised the recovery of several large (~1 m diameter) chalk ammonites from the beach platform at Peacehaven, West Sussex.  This required the organisation of excavation teams, and arrangements for transport, preparation and preservation of specimens, the most significant of which is now being permanently displayed at the Booth Museum, Brighton.  A 3 km stretch of the beach-platform has now been mapped to record the location of the remaining 100 + specimens.

University of Southampton collection (1998-2001) - I initiated renewed curation of the University of Southampton’s teaching and research collection, for which I received payment.  I recognised significant specimens within the Chalk collection, prepared and preserved them, and then supervised their permanent relocation to the Booth Museum, Brighton.  Specimens I have worked on can be viewed on the Earth Science Department’s collection website (http://www.soton.ac.uk/~bam2/col-index/fossi-lindex/index.html).

Other Collections (1995 -) - volunteer curator of the teaching collections at Worthing VI^th Form College, Worthing Museum, and various projects for the Booth Museum, including work experience.