Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Antarctic Canyon Experiment (ACE) in Plymouth

We are seeking a 3-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the ERC-funded project, “Antarctic Canyon Experiment (ACE): How do Ice sheets affect turbidity currents and organic carbon cycling?”

About the role

You will join a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Jenny Gales at the University of Plymouth, working closely with international partners at OGS, University of Gothenburg, Australian National University, Northern Illinois University, Alfred Wegener Institute and Earth Sciences New Zealand. At the University of Plymouth, you will be part of a vibrant research community within the Centres for Hazards and Risk Reduction and Coastal and Ocean Processes and Engineering groups in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

ACE will provide the first direct measurements of Antarctic turbidity currents through two major Antarctic expeditions planned for 2027 and 2028. Turbidity currents are among the most significant sediment transport processes on Earth, moving vast volumes of sediment, organic carbon, and pollutants from continental margins to the deep ocean. These powerful events can reshape the seafloor, impact ecosystems, and pose risk to offshore infrastructure. The project will also investigate how turbidity current activity has responded to past climate change over millions of years, using sediment cores from IODP Expedition 374 (McKay et al., 2018). Together, these approaches will improve understanding of carbon transfer in high-latitude systems and inform predictions of future change under a warming climate.

You will apply novel, multidisciplinary approaches to integrate:

• Direct observations of seafloor processes, such as turbidity currents, from oceanographic moorings deployed in Antarctic submarine canyons.
• Geological and palaeo-climate records from Antarctic sediment cores (IODP Expedition 374, McKay et al., 2018).
• Geophysical datasets to assess long‑term variability in turbidity current behaviour.

This work will enable assessment of how turbidity currents respond to climatic forcing over millennial timescales, and the associated implications for geohazards and carbon cycling. You will also contribute to the planning of two Antarctic expeditions and may have the opportunity to participate in the field campaigns. The role offers training in physical oceanography, geophysics, sedimentology and geochemistry within a highly collaborative, international research environment. It also includes opportunities for research and career development training, opportunities to join scientific expeditions, and to present your research findings at international conferences. You will also contribute to the wider scientific objectives of IODP Expedition 374, engaging with a global network of researchers. In this role you may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

What we’re looking for

• Specialist analytical experience in at least one relevant area (e.g. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler/oceanographic data, Ocean Bottom Seismometers, process sedimentology, seismic interpretation, sediment core analysis, isotope geochemistry, multibeam data).
• Demonstrated ability to integrate multidisciplinary datasets across different spatial and temporal scales.
• Willingness and ability to undertake international travel and sea survival training (e.g. STCW95).
• A strong understanding of marine or continental slope processes (desirable).
• Experience working with oceanographic instruments (desirable).

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Jenny Gales by email at jenny.gales@plymouth.ac.uk.

Closing date – Monday 1st June 2026 – 12 o’clock midnight

£39,906 to £46,049 per annum - Grade 7