Marine Geophysicist

Please quote ref no: BAS 119/13
Closing date for applications: 20 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.

Within the IceSheets programme at BAS a particular focus of current research is on understanding ice sheet change during the late Quaternary. Working mainly around West Antarctica, we aim to determine the extent of the glacial maximum ice sheet, its retreat history and what evidence there is for late Quaternary ice sheet collapse. Future aims include closer interaction with glacial modellers to integrate results with palaeo-ice sheet models.

To help us in this work we would now like to recruit a suitably qualified marine geophysicist for an open-ended post to collect, process and interpret multibeam echo sounding data and acoustic sub-bottom profiles from polar continental shelves, slopes and deep ocean basins. The post will also involve work on existing seismic reflection data, and assisting with the collection and analysis of sediment cores. The successful applicant will become a member of a team based in Cambridge and will participate in Antarctic research cruises that will involve absences from the UK of approximately one to two months. He/she will be expected to integrate results from a range of geophysical and other data to interpret past glacial and sedimentary processes, the sequence of events during deglaciation, and how these changes affected sediment delivery to the deep ocean. There will also be opportunities to work with glacial geophysicists to study subglacial processes through integration of oversnow results that provide information about modern subglacial environments with offshore data that provide information about comparable past environments.

Qualifications: Qualifications: We are looking for a marine geophysicist with experience of processing and interpreting multibeam echo sounding, acoustic sub-bottom and seismic reflection data. You should have a Master’s degree or PhD in Earth sciences and good written and oral communication skills. Experience of marine geoscience research cruises will be an advantage. You will have the skills required to integrate results from different types of data to interpret glacial and sedimentary processes that have operated beneath ice sheets and seaward of grounding lines on polar continental margins. The ability to work supportively and constructively in a closely-knit team is an essential requirement.

Duration: Open - Ended Appointment

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

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 119/13
Closing date for receipt of application forms is. 20th October 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held on. w/c 28th 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.
You will need to be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.

Formal Description

Marine Geophysicist
Ref No.: BAS 119/13
Closing Date: 20 Oct 2013

1.	Job Title:	Marine Geophysicist
	Reference No:	BAS 119/13
	Department:	IceSheets Programme
	Line Manager:	Palaeo-Ice Sheets Workpackage Manager
	Contract Type:	Open-ended

2.	Location: Cambridge and Research Cruises as required.

Purpose:
To collect and process marine geophysical and geological data from offshore of Antarctica in order to meet the objectives of the IceSheets Programme. To interpret processed data in terms of past subglacial, proglacial and marine sedimentary processes and the sequence of events during past glacial periods and deglaciations. To work as part of a team to integrate these interpretations with those from other data types in order to reconstruct changes in the dimensions, dynamic behaviour and basal conditions of the Antarctic ice sheets through glacial-interglacial cycles, with particular focus on changes since the Last Glacial Maximum. To work with glacial geophysicists to integrate studies of modern and ancient subglacial processes. To publish and present results, including taking the lead role.

Duties:
1) Participate in research cruises as agreed with the Workpackage Manager, and plan and direct survey activities on these cruises

2) Carry out preliminary processing of multibeam echo sounding, sub-bottom acoustic profiling and seismic reflection data on board ship, and perform other shipboard duties as directed by the Principal Scientist

3) Carry out further post-cruise processing on the data collected, as agreed with the Workpackage Manager

4) Interpret multibeam echo sounding, sub-bottom profiling and seismic reflection data and work as part of a team to integrate these interpretations with those from other data types (e.g. results of sediment core analyses, surface exposure age dating, oversnow geophysical data) to determine the history of ice sheet change and improve understanding of ice sheet basal processes.

5) Prepare and contribute to reports, conference presentations and scientific papers as agreed with the Workpackage Manager.

6) As part of the Workpackage team, to prepare synthesis papers and scientific products that will allow ice-sheet model simulations to be verified and constrained.

Skills Specification

Marine Geophysicist
Ref No.: BAS 119/13
Closing Date: 20 Oct 2013

Characteristics

Essential Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

Desirable Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

Communication skillsa) oral skillsb) written skills

* Fluent in written and spoken English language. Evidence of good quality presentations and first author publications in international journals.

* Track record of first author publications in international journals.

(1)

Computer / IT skills

* Skilled in the use of multibeam echo sounding data processing and mapping software, as well as spreadsheet, drawing, word processing and slide presentation software.

* Familiarity with linux, MB-System, Generic Mapping Tools (GMT), ArcGIS, ProMax, seismic interpretation software (e.g. Petrel or Kingdom Suite), Microsoft Office and CorelDraw software

(1)

Decision Making

* Capability to make day-to-day decisions about data collection, processing and interpretation, and to progress with work in the absence of the Workpackage Manager.

* Capability to stand in for line manager and Workpackage Manager in their absence

(2)

Interpersonal skills

* Ability to work as part of a team.

Managerial ability

* Strong personal time management.

* Experience of operations at sea.

(1)

Numerical ability

* At a level commensurate with a PhD in geophysics.

Other Factors

* Physically capable and medically fit to work on Antarctic marine cruises.

* Evidence of contributing to applications for external funding.

(2)

Qualifications

* PhD in geological or environmental sciences.

* PhD in Marine Geophysics. Postdoctoral experience.

(1)

Resource Management ability

* Experience of managing small project budgets.

(3)

Skills / Experience

* Experience of processing and interpreting multibeam echo sounding and high-resolution seismic reflection/ acoustic sub-bottom profiler data.

* Experience of processing and interpreting oversnow radio-echo and/or seismic sounding data. Experience of working on sediment cores.	(1)
* Experience of working on geophysical data from polar continental margins or ice sheets.	(1)
* Marine geoscience cruise experience, and particularly experience of collecting multibeam echo sounding and acoustic sub-bottom profiler data.	(1)