Observational Oceanographer

Contract type - Open ended appointment

Location – Cambridge, with fieldwork to polar regions as required.

Salary – Band E S2 - £52,907 - £58,198

Closing date - 07 June 2026

Interview date - 22/23 June 2026

Background/Overview:

Purpose: We are seeking an observational physical oceanographer, with a strong interest in, and experience of, the design, procurement, deployment, data processing and scientific exploitation of oceanographic instrumentation. In addition to undertaking fieldwork as required in Antarctica and Greenland, the oceanographer will analyse these data and write research papers in high-profile journals, contributing to our understanding of high-latitude ocean circulation, and its links with climate variability and change.

Duties:

• Prepare for and undertake field campaigns to support numerous Polar Oceans projects. At present, this includes the Orkney Passage mooring array, which monitors the outflow of Antarctic Bottom Water from the Weddell Sea; and the Rothera mooring, which detects long term changes in Circumpolar Deep Water on the Antarctic continental shelves.
• Lead elements of ship-based field campaigns in projects (recent examples being KANG-GLAC, BIOPOLE, OCEAN-ICE and POLOMINTS). This will include collection of data including CTD, ADCP, underway temperature-salinity and meteorological variables, as well as bottle collection for variables including salinity calibration and seawater oxygen isotopes.
• Support the operation, piloting and future development of BAS’s autonomous underwater vehicle fleet. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of both physical and biogeochemical sensors, and a strong interest in the operation and development of these vehicles.
• Write, publish and communicate scientific findings resulting from observations and associated research.
• Support the development and writing of future research proposals, including for future research programmes such as Antarctica InSync and International Polar Year.
• Lead and/or support the supervision of Masters/PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working within our research programme.
• Work collaboratively with other observationalists and modellers within the Polar Oceans team to support the 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, policymakers and/or the general public.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• PhD or equivalent in numerical science, such as Mathematics, Physics, Oceanography, Earth Science, Meteorology.
• Postdoctoral experience in observational physical oceanography.
• Field experience of deploying, quality controlling and analysing a variety of physical oceanographic instrumentation and associated data.
• Strong numerical ability.
• Extensive experience with computer programming for the collection, quality control and analysis of oceanographic data.
• Previous experience of managing teams of people undertaking fieldwork at sea.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Experience in writing, reviewing and publishing oceanographic research papers and presenting research at project meetings and conferences.
• Ability to manage project workflow and balance time/resources between project work.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to or lead the development and submission of research proposals.
• Previous experience designing/deploying/recovering moorings and piloting autonomous underwater vehicles such as ocean gliders or surface vehicles.
• Experience of and interest in a wide range of physical and biogeochemical sensors and platforms.
• Previous experience of managing and supervising Masters/PhD students or postdoctoral researchers.
• Interest in communicating BAS science more widely including through outreach and stakeholder events.
• Understanding how BAS science fits into a wider perspective.
• Previous experience in scientific physical oceanography and/or ocean biogeochemistry.

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.