Physical Oceanographer, Ocean Glider Scientist – National Oceanography Centre,Liverpool

Full time (37 hours) Fixed term (24 months)

About the role:

The Natural Environment Research Council is a partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The NOC has taken a leading role in the use of autonomous vehicles for ocean research and invested in a dedicated national facility managing over 30 marine robots. We are currently seeking a talented physical oceanographer to join the growing team of scientists and engineers at the NOC working with these robots to undertake a broad range of multi-disciplinary research in high-latitude, temperate and tropical regions, from the coast to deep ocean.

This position will focus on using data from ocean gliders and other AUVs to develop improved understanding of the mixing mechanisms that control the physical structure of our seas and the biogeochemical and climate implications. This work will be done as part of a multidisciplinary team at the NOC alongside UK and international partners. This role will support the AlterEco project, which is currently undertaking a 14-month continuous deployment of ocean gliders in the North Sea and includes specialist turbulence, ADCP and nutrient sensors to investigate the physical and biogeochemical functioning of coastal and shelf seas. This role will expand into the Arctic as part of a series of projects working with international partners investigating water mass modification around Iceland and Svalbard shelf and shelf break regions.

Applications are particularly encouraged from researchers interested in turbulence and mixing in the upper ocean and ocean interior and the subsequent impacts on fluxes in the ocean surface boundary layer and pycnocline. While the initial appointment is for 24 months, there is potential for extended funding to investigate water mass formation and mixing in the Arctic as new developments in under-ice navigation with AUVs are developed at the NOC. Suitably experienced or talented applicants will have the opportunity to develop this role as a PI and establish their own research interests at the NOC.

About you:

You will have a strong background in ocean physics (PhD or equivalent experience) with a proven track record of publishing your work in peer reviewed international journals. You will have extensive experience of processing and analysing observational ocean data and have suitable coding skills to develop your own solutions to emerging problems associated with processing complex, multi-variable datasets from multiple platforms. Preferably, you will have experience of working at sea and overseeing deployment of instrumentation on both small and large vessels. Applicants with experience in processing and analysing shear and temperature microstructure data are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience working with data collected from ocean gliders would also be highly desirable.

Other information:

This position will include seagoing duties in the North Sea and Arctic regions, potentially for several weeks duration. Overseas and national travel will also be necessary to attend project meetings and conferences. The starting salary for this position will be between £28,200 and £32,430 per annum (Band 6) or £35,222 and £40,505 per annum (Band 5).

About us:

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world. With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK’s leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. This position will be based in Liverpool as part of the Coastal Ocean Processes group. NOC is part of the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), which is one of the nine partners within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

What we can offer you:

At the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) we know that the quality of our science and the impact that we want it to have depends entirely on the knowledge, skills and engagement of our people. The NOC is committed to flexible employment practices to support employees’ work and personal commitments where possible. Our flexi-time system and flexible working policy contribute to this important aim. In return for your talents, we offer a competitive remuneration package, including a RCUK pension scheme, 30 days annual leave with a further 14 Public/local days off and low cost car-parking. Opportunities for further training and development are supported. The NOC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. There is a guaranteed interview scheme for suitable candidates with a disability and we welcome applications from ethnic minorities currently under-represented. The NOC is an Investors in People organisation and has signed up to the Athena SWAN charter principles to take action to address gender equality.

How to apply:

All internal and external applications are handled by the UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS). For further information about the role and how to apply, please visit our website. To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.

Closing date: 6th July 2018. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 23rd July. Appointment may start from August 1st 2018 and no later than October 1st 2018.