Research Fellow in Physical Oceanography

We are seeking to recruit a Research Fellow in Physical Oceanography to become a member of the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton. As part of the ‘POLEMIX: Autonomous Profiling observations to unravel the role of mixing in North Atlantic climate tipping point’ project, you will leverage emerging sensor capabilities of autonomous profiling floats (microstructure turbulence sensors and inertial motion units) to develop new ways of measuring ocean mixing, and collect and analyse observations in the Mediterranean Sea and the subpolar North Atlantic.

The successful applicant will work as part of a large international team creating and deploying a new float-based observing system in the subpolar North Atlantic, contributing to improving model predictions of tipping points in the system. Our team in Southampton includes an active sea-going oceanographic group, with expertise in physical oceanography and ocean mixing. The broader POLEMIX consortium is composed by observational oceanographers, ocean modellers and ocean technologists at the National Oceanography Centre (UK), Laboratoire d’Oceanographie de Villefranche-sur-Mer (France), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US) and Rockland Scientific (Canada). We are strongly motivated to understand the role of small-scale ocean physics in the climate system. For this purpose, we will use ground-breaking ocean observations to unravel the impact of small-scale ocean physics on large-scale ocean and climate dynamics. By joining us, you will advance the field of finescale ocean dynamics by enabling autonomous profiling floats to measure mixing, and through these measurements to uncover new knowledge about the role of mixing in deep convection and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

The post is a fixed-term appointment for 24 months, and is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)-funded project.

We invite applicants who hold a PhD or equivalent qualification in oceanography, or a related field, with experience in the analysis and processing of oceanographic data, preferably from autonomous platforms. You will demonstrate a good knowledge of ocean dynamics, particularly at fine and small scales, strong quantitative and problem-solving skills, and excellent communication skills.

We are an ambitious, mutually supportive academic community and are passionate about creating an environment where everyone can achieve their full potential in education, research and enterprise. We hold a departmental Athena SWAN bronze award coupled to an institutional Athena SWAN silver award. We value diversity and equality and recognise that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability, or illness. We offer generous holiday allowance and additional University closure days, subsidised health and fitness facilities and access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). We are committed to supporting early career researchers as outlined by the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

For informal inquiries please contact Dr. Bieito Fernandez Castro (B.Fernandez-Castro@soton.ac.uk)

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given. 

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