Dr Stuart M.R. Turner

Research Scientist (Mineralogy)
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
Stuart is a physicist by training, having studied for his PhD at the University of Leicester where he worked on the development of a novel X-ray diffraction technique and analysed the surface mineralogy of Mars using remote sensing datasets. Stuart subsequently undertook post-doctoral research at the Open University where, as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Science Team, his research focused on understanding the formation of clay-bearing mineral assemblages on Mars. Stuart joined the James Hutton Institute in March 2023 as an XRD Mineralogist. Stuart's work involves researching clays, carbonates, water/rock interactions, new analytical techniques, and analysing samples for commercial projects. Stuart also supports the commercial work of the SEM section.

Biography

2023 – present: XRD Mineralogist, The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen.

2022 – present: Associate Lecturer (part-time), School of Physical Sciences, The Open University.

2018 – 2023: Post Doctoral Research Associate, AstrobiologyOU, School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes.

2016 – 2017: Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester.

2012 – 2017: PhD ‘Novel X-ray Diffraction and the Remote Analysis of Mars’, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester.

2008 – 2012: MPhys Physics with Space Science and Technology (First Class Honours), Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester.

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