Reporting to the Principal Investigator, Heather Bouman, the postholder will join a research team from multiple institutions with responsibility for carrying out research for the NERC-funded Integrating Drivers of Atlantic Productivity (IDAPro) project.
IDAPro is one of three projects funded by the Bio-Carbon program (https://bio-carbon.ac.uk) and will use data collected from ship-based, robotic and satellite platforms to improve our understanding of the main drivers of phytoplankton productivity in the subpolar North Atlantic. The postholder will work on the influence of environmental conditions on marine primary production as a key component of IDAPro.
The postholder will be primarily responsible for the estimation of marine primary production using satellite models constrained by in situ field observations.
The postholder will be responsible for managing their own academic research and administrative activities, involving small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
They will adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques to estimate the growth and productivity of marine phytoplankton using data streams from ship-based observations, satellites, and autonomy.
The postholder will use specialist scientific equipment in both laboratory and field environments to determine some or all of: phytoplankton pigment concentrations, light absorption coefficients and rates of primary production. They will be willing to participate in dedicated oceanographic research cruise(s) associated with the project.
They will also collaborate in the preparation of research publications, develop ideas for generating research income and occasionally present papers and posters.
About you
You will hold, or be close to completion, of a relevant PhD/DPhil in Biogeochemistry, Earth/Ocean sciences or a related discipline together with relevant experience in the measurement and/or modelling of primary production.
You will have detailed knowledge of the use of satellite data to understand upper ocean biogeochemical processes as well as dexterity and skills in the laboratory.
You will be able to manage you own academic research and have previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations and contributing ideas for new research projects and research income generation.
You must also have excellent communication skills including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.
Experience with the collection and/or interpretation of marine optical data and experience with the analysis of physical and chemical oceanographic datasets relevant for the interpretation of primary production data is desirable.
Ideally you will also have experience with UV/Visible spectrophotometry to measure light absorption of natural phytoplankton assemblages, experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication and experience of supervising PhD or Masters students.
This role is available from 1 April 2024 and is fixed term for 24 months.
The deadline for applications is midday on December 4, 2023.
Salary: £37,099 - £38,205 per annum
