The National Oceanography Centre (NOC)—the UK's center of excellence for oceanographic sciences. We are a national research organization, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean.

It is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community whose focus is on improving the world in which we live. Work is balanced by a strong sense of purpose, values and behaviors and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one NOC’ approach. The NOC has a rich history dating back to 1949, and the future has never looked more exciting as they aim to be the world’s most innovative oceanographic institution.

About the role

The candidate will join Marine Geosystems, a dynamic team of geoscience researchers that includes expertise across Rock Physics, marine geohazards, seafloor resource characterization, subsurface and seafloor fluid flow, and sedimentology, part of the Ocean BioGeosciences Research Group. We are looking to expand our rock physics capacity to continue developing fundamental and applied research into reservoir characterization and the complex rock-fluid-gas coupled processes occurring in geological reservoirs, when subjected to human gas injection/extraction activities (e.g., CO2 sequestration and hydrogen energy storage). The candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own research and to contribute to a host of funded fundamental and applied science projects with international collaborators that investigate subsurface physical and mechanical rock properties associated with geological CO2 storage, mineral carbon storage, H2 energy storage, and the characterization of seafloor mineral deposits and gas hydrates.

Underground gas storage is one of the most important research areas globally, as one of the key mitigation strategies for counteracting human-driven climate change. The NOC Rock Physics Laboratory is world leading in combining geophysical and hydromechanical data collection from rock samples at realistic geological conditions. These are essential for developing accurate numerical tools to predict reservoir behavior during and after gas storage operations. The candidate will be integrated into our Rock Physics team, to further develop our research on underground gas and energy storage.

The role will include:

• Contributing to and leading research in the area of rock physics, rock mechanics and seismology.
• Contribution to and leading research proposals to research councils and diverse funding sources.
• Collaborating with other marine geoscientists and the wider scientific and engineering community across NOC to contribute to our wider scientific mission.
• Supervision of MSc and PhD students.
• Presentation of research results at project meetings and international conferences and publication of results in peer reviewed scientific journals and other materials (reports, models, data, etc.).
• Opportunities to undertake science at sea on the UK’s research vessels and to contribute to other international research projects.

About you

The NOC is looking for an experimental rock physicist with expertise in routine and special core analysis techniques, petrographic analysis, rock mechanics and data processing (e.g., MATLAB, PYTHON) to underpin the performance of multi-flow tests to investigate complex rock-fluid-gas coupled processes occurring in geological reservoirs (e.g., CO2 and H2 storage).

The successful candidate must have a PhD in a numerate earth science discipline, with a track record that demonstrates substantial knowledge of exploration seismology and rock physics theory, proven experience in conducting laboratory practical work, excellent time management and organizational skills, and a future vision for research that is aligned with key research areas in Marine Geosystems.