Physical Oceanographer Position – British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs.

We are looking to appoint a Physical Oceanographer to a senior post within the Open Oceans group at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The focus of the Open Oceans group is on improving the understanding of the circulation, mixing, dynamics and Earth System feedbacks in the polar oceans, using a combination of theoretical, observational and numerical analysis techniques, and assessing the implications for the global climate. The group interacts closely with the Shelf Seas group at BAS, which is focused on investigating ice and continental shelf processes, as well as with other groups in BAS focused on the study of the atmosphere, cryosphere and ecosystems.

Ongoing research interests of the Open Oceans group include:

• Investigating mixing processes in the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean at the mesoscale and submesoscale and dynamical interactions influencing the oceanic overturning circulation;
• Assessing the representation of the coupled Southern Hemisphere system and of key Arctic teleconnections in climate models;
• Monitoring and understanding the production and export of bottom water from the Antarctic continent into the Atlantic Ocean;
• Monitoring the meridional overturning circulation in the South Atlantic;
• Mapping the pathways of carbon uptake by the Southern Ocean;
• Understanding the physical controls on the interdisciplinary marine environment in the Scotia Sea and at the Antarctic peninsula.

The tools used to conduct this research include autonomous ocean gliders, research ships, mooring arrays, dynamical analyses and advanced numerical modelling. The postholder would be expected to contribute to some of the research activities of the group using the appropriate combination of these tools, and to instigate new avenues of research of their own. They would lead a significant element of the Open Oceans workpackage and supervise some of the more junior staff. They would be expected to take part in and lead some fieldwork activities.

Qualifications: Good first degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD or equivalent postgraduate experience in same.

Duration: Open-ended

Salary: Salary will be in the range of £31,020 to £37,500 per annum. We offer a generous benefits package including a defined salary pension scheme, free car parking, flexible working hours and 30 days annual leave.

You will need to be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.