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- Tasks: Join a team to study deep-sea turbidity currents and their impact on the environment.
- Company: Durham University is a leading institution known for its research excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy opportunities for marine research cruises and collaboration with international scientists.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research that influences global data transfer and environmental understanding.
- Qualifications: A PhD in a relevant field is required; passion for marine science is a plus.
- Other info: Participate in exciting marine campaigns in 2026 and 2027.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Geography
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Geography
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The Role
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of Quantitative Sedimentology and Geophysics of Seafloor Processes. The successful applicant will be part of two major NERC funded projects to make the first detailed measurements of turbidity currents in action in the deep-sea, and to develop novel technologies for monitoring these seabed sediment flows. Turbidity currents form the deepest canyons, longest channels and largest sediment accumulations on our planet. They also break seafloor telecommunication cable networks that form the backbone of global data transfer, and there is emerging understand that they bury globally significant amounts of organic carbon in the deep-sea. This is an exciting and inspiring opportunity to analyse the first measurements of turbidity currents in the deep-sea. This data can lead to step changes in understanding how these seabed sediment flows operate, and their wider implications for hazards to telecommunication cables, organic carbon transfer and sequestration, impacts on seabed life, or role in transferring microplastics and other pollutants.
The Role
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of Quantitative Sedimentology and Geophysics of Seafloor Processes. The successful applicant will be part of two major NERC funded projects to make the first detailed measurements of turbidity currents in action in the deep-sea, and to develop novel technologies for monitoring these seabed sediment flows. Turbidity currents form the deepest canyons, longest channels and largest sediment accumulations on our planet. They also break seafloor telecommunication cable networks that form the backbone of global data transfer, and there is emerging understand that they bury globally significant amounts of organic carbon in the deep-sea. This is an exciting and inspiring opportunity to analyse the first measurements of turbidity currents in the deep-sea. This data can lead to step changes in understanding how these seabed sediment flows operate, and their wider implications for hazards to telecommunication cables, organic carbon transfer and sequestration, impacts on seabed life, or role in transferring microplastics and other pollutants.
The successful application will part of two major international projects have already involved four marine research cruises to the Congo Submarine Canyon and Fan in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025. Those month-long marine cruises have already generated a superb field data-set that includes monitoring of the longest sediment flows yet measured in action on Earth, and the only time-lapse bathymetric surveys of a major submarine canyon-channel. The most recent cruise in 2025 showed that the end of the Congo Submarine Channel is highly active (15% of the time), despite being 1,000 km from shore, and this seafloor channel grew by 10 km in a single year.
These two NERC projects will also underpin another two marine research cruises in March-April 2026 and 2027. These future cruises will deploy moored sensors (e.g. acoustic Doppler current profilers – ADCPs) in a series of submarine canyons in the Gulf of Mexico and along the US East Coast. Time-lapse bathymetric surveys and sediment cores will also be collected again during these cruises in 2026 and 2027, which also aim to test novel geophone-based seabed sensors.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will benefit from being part of an unusually large international project team including scientists from the UK Universities of Durham, Newcastle, Hull, Loughborough, and the UK National Oceanography Centre, together with collaborators at IFREMER in France, GEOMAR in Germany and MBARI in the USA.
The successful application will assist in analysing field data including from moored-sensors (e.g. acoustic Doppler current profilers), time-lapse bathymetric and sub-bottom profiler surveys of the seabed, and sediment cores. They may also assist in analysis of monitoring data from Ocean Bottom Seismometers and Hydrophones. These data sets include those already collected from the Congo Submarine Canyon in previous marine cruises, and data collected by future cruises to the Gulf of Mexico and US East Coast. The aims of these analyses include to understand: the frequency and triggers of turbidity currents, what these flows comprise and how they behave, and how they sculpt the seafloor or are recorded by their deposits. The successful applicant will ideally also seek to understand the wider implications of these flows, such as for hazards to seabed cables, and processes of organic carbon burial or pollutant transfer to the deep sea. They will ideally take part in two forthcoming marine campaigns to the Gulf of Mexico and US East Coast in 2026 and 2027 and thereby help to collect data onboard research vessels. They will also be involved in planning logistics for these two marine research cruises, and in analysing, publishing and archiving a range of field data after the marine research cruises have finished.
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Geography employer: Durham University
Contact Detail:
Durham University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Geography
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest research in Quantitative Sedimentology and Geophysics. Understanding current methodologies and technologies used in the field will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment and expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the marine research community, especially those involved in NERC projects or similar studies. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights and possibly advocate for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain hands-on experience with the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as acoustic Doppler current profilers and time-lapse bathymetric surveys. This practical knowledge will set you apart and show that you're ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the implications of turbidity currents on telecommunication cables and organic carbon transfer. Being able to discuss these broader impacts will highlight your understanding of the significance of the research and your ability to think critically about its applications.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Geography
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the specific requirements and responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Associate position. Highlight your relevant experience in Quantitative Sedimentology and Geophysics.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your skills and experiences that align with the role. Emphasise any previous research projects, particularly those related to turbidity currents or marine geology.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the research projects at Durham University. Mention how your background can contribute to their ongoing studies.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working with an international team, be sure to mention any collaborative projects you've been part of. Showcase your ability to work in diverse teams and your communication skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest findings in quantitative sedimentology and geophysics. Be prepared to discuss how your previous research aligns with the projects at Durham University, especially regarding turbidity currents and their implications.
✨Demonstrate Technical Skills
Highlight your experience with moored sensors, acoustic Doppler current profilers, and time-lapse bathymetric surveys. Be ready to explain how you would approach data analysis and what techniques you would use to interpret the results.
✨Show Enthusiasm for Collaboration
Emphasise your ability to work within a large international team. Discuss any past experiences where you collaborated with diverse groups and how you contributed to successful outcomes in research projects.
✨Prepare Questions
Have insightful questions ready about the ongoing projects and future marine campaigns. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively to the team's goals.
