Physical Oceanographer in Cambridge

Contract type: Fixed-Term Contract – 20 Months

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £42,688 to £46,957 per annum

Closing date: 20 September 2026

Purpose: We are seeking a physical oceanographer with experience running and analysing ocean models. This post will focus on contributing to the Observing System Optimisation work package within the Horizon Europe SYNCHRONY project; specifically through producing target maps for observations of essential variables and relevant indicators for Southern Ocean warming and the Southern Ocean carbonate system. This will involve running and analysing adjoint sensitivity experiments using an ocean state estimate, complemented by analysing and comparing observational air‑sea flux products. These will contribute towards the deliverable of an optimal air‑sea flux measuring strategy and an optimal carbon and biogeochemical measurement strategy.

Duties:

• Produce and analyse adjoint sensitivity experiments within an ocean state estimate, focused on indicators of Southern Ocean heat and carbon storage.
• Analyse and compare air‑sea flux observational products for heat and carbon over the Southern Ocean.
• Manage the code base and datasets produced by the above work.
• Write, publish and communicate scientific findings resulting from this analysis and associated research. This includes contributing towards specific Horizon Europe milestones and deliverables.
• Participate in meetings of the Horizon Europe SYNCHRONY project and communicate findings to, and proactively collaborate with, partners.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Polar Oceans team, including, but not limited to: (i) Presenting research at national/international conferences and meetings, (ii) Liaising with external visitors including seminar speakers, and (iii) Assisting with communication activities to promote the work of the Polar Oceans team both internally within BAS and externally to other academics, policy makers and/or the general public.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:

Essential:

• Excellent understanding of ocean and global climate dynamics.
• PhD in ocean/climate dynamics or equivalent postgraduate experience.
• Strong numerical ability consistent with manipulating, analysing, and interpreting ocean data.
• Basic familiarity with at least one coding language such as Matlab, python, Julia, c or Fortran.
• Ability to manage project workflow and balance time/resources between projects.
• Proven ability to present research effectively in written and oral form with examples of publication in leading journals.
• Track record of independent research and associated decision making.
• Ability to work as part of a team within the SYNCHRONY project and across the EU partner institutions.
• Demonstrated experience managing changes in project scope or unforeseen challenges.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated understanding of Southern Ocean dynamics.
• Demonstrated understanding of Southern Ocean carbon cycle.
• Experience analysing ocean models.
• Experience analysing adjoint models.
• Experience comparing ocean observational products.
• Experience editing model code and running numerical models.
• Experience running adjoint model simulations.
• Able to communicate detailed technical information clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of how BAS science fits into a wider perspective.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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Disability Confident Employer: As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Benefits: Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits: from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

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