Atmospheric Chemistry Modeller

Please quote ref no: BAS 115/13
Closing date for applications: 13 Oct 2013

Main Description

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs.

BAS’s tropospheric chemistry group studies a broad range of polar atmospheric chemistry issues. Interests include the chemistry of the sea ice zone, air/snow exchange processes and the influence on ice core data, and the influence of the Southern Ocean on atmospheric composition. The group operates a field laboratory at Halley station in coastal Antarctica, from which we have undertaken a number of ambitious atmospheric chemistry field campaigns with UK and international partners. This laboratory houses an instrument suite for long-term observations (including high resolution CO2 and CH4) and is a Global station within the WMO-GAW network. As a result, we have access to a wealth of data both from Halley and from other Antarctic sites.

You will be based in Cambridge, and will use a variety of modelling tools as appropriate, but likely to include global, regional, as well as 1-D and 0-D models. The aim will be to carry out innovative research to interpret existing datasets, either from Halley or elsewhere in the polar regions, and to place the measurements into the wider context of their significance for the polar and global atmosphere. The implications of climate change for such connections will also be a focus of study.

The tropospheric chemistry group has strong links with BAS’s ice core and meteorological research groups, and we would encourage interactions with these groups as part of your work. We would also anticipate that you would provide advice/support on modelling issues to other members of the tropospheric chemistry group when appropriate.

To achieve these research objectives, we envisage that you would also: liaise with other modellers at BAS and within the UK/international community; represent BAS at scientific meetings/conferences; produce high quality scientific papers; lead/contribute to funding proposals; play an active role in shaping the tropospheric chemistry research agenda at BAS.

This role offers a high level of diversity and autonomy, and the chance to work as part of a world-class research team in a stimulating scientific environment.

Further information about our Antarctic laboratory can be found at: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/bas_research/support/labs/caslab/index.php

Qualifications: Good first degree (2.1 or above) in Chemistry, Physics or relevant environmental science plus PhD involving atmospheric modelling and/or atmospheric chemistry (or equivalent).

Duration: Open - Ended Appointment

Salary: Salary will be in the range of £26,450 to £29,710 per annum for Band 6 or £31,020 to £37,500 per annum for Band 5 We offer a generous benefits package including a defined salary pension scheme, free car parking, flexible working hours and 30 days annual leave.

British Antarctic Survey will make a decission based on your application form about which band level we will be interviewing you at and we will inform you proir to interview

On-line application forms and further information are available on our website at www.antarctica.ac.uk/employment

These are also available from the Human Resources Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.

Please quote reference: BAS 115/13
Closing date for receipt of application forms is. 13th October 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held on. w/c 21st October 2013

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.

Formal Description

Atmospheric Chemistry Modeller
Ref No.: BAS 115/13
Closing Date: 13 Oct 2013

1.	Job Title:	Atmospheric Chemistry Modeller
	Reference No:	BAS 115/13
	Department:	Chemistry and Past Climate Programme/ TROPCHEM Workpackage
	Line Manager:
	Contract Type:	Open- ended

2.	Location: Cambridge

Purpose:
To work within BAS’ Tropospheric Chemistry group to carry out high-quality scientific research, using a variety of models, into the chemistry of the Antarctic atmosphere, with a particular emphasis on using new and existing field datasets, and scaling up local processes to a wider regional/global interpretation. Also, to contribute to the strategic direction of the group, for example by leading funding applications. (Band 5)

Duties:
- Participate in BAS research into Antarctic tropospheric chemistry, and how this links to the wider regional (and global) atmosphere, and to the records of past atmospheric composition (and therein environmental proxies) held in ice cores.

- Working independently or in collaboration with members of the Tropospheric Chemistry group, run atmospheric chemistry models at a variety of scales (global, regional, 1-D or box, as appropriate) in order to exploit new and existing field data sets.

- Provide advice to others in the group wishing to run atmospheric chemistry models.

- Act as primary point of contact/support to others in the group wishing to run atmospheric chemistry models. (Band 5)

- Contribute to the broader strategic aims of BAS’s Tropospheric Chemistry group. (Band 5)

- Represent the BAS Tropospheric Chemistry group within the international/UK atmospheric chemistry community. (Band 5)

- Write high-quality papers for publication in scientific journals.

- Contribute to research funding applications

- Lead research funding applications (Band 5)

- Present research findings at scientific conferences.

- Assist in the scientific outreach activities of the Tropospheric Chemistry group.

Skills Specification

Atmospheric Chemistry Modeller
Ref No.: BAS 115/13
Closing Date: 13 Oct 2013

Characteristics

Essential Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

Desirable Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

Communication skillsa) oral skillsb) written skills

* Proficient in written and spoken English language.

* Experience of scientific outreach work.	(3)
* Experience of presenting research to a scientific audience.	(1)

Computer / IT skills

* Confident in using MS Windows and MS Office applications (or equivalent)
* Experience with UNIX. Knowledge and use of scientific programming language(s).

* Experience with specialised software systems such as Matlab, IDL, Python or Igor

(1)

Decision Making

* Good scientific problem-solving skills.

Interpersonal skills

* Ability to work effectively and constructively with others.

Managerial ability

* Able to organise own work independently

Numerical ability

* Evidence of strong numerical skills, as exemplified by good grade at A level (or equivalent), and subsequent use through modelling.

Other Factors

* Must be a team player.

Qualifications

* Good first degree (2.1 or above) in Chemistry, Physics or relevant environmental science plus PhD involving atmospheric modelling and/or atmospheric chemistry (or equivalent).

Resource Management ability

* Able to achieve set goals with finite computing recources and within given time.
* Capable of conducting high-quality research with minimal supervision. (Band 5)

Skills / Experience

* Research experience studying atmospheric chemistry processes using higher dimensionality numerical models
* Evidence of aptitude for writing up research, as demonstrated by a significant number of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including first-author publications. (Band 5)
* Relevant research experience at post-doctoral level (Band 5)
* Experience of writing (successful) grant proposals

* Experience of using 0- and 1-D atmospheric chemistry models	(1)
* Awareness of palaeoclimate research using ice cores and interest in CO2 exchange	(2)
* Knowledge of polar tropospheric chemistry	(1)