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Physical Oceanographer

Please quote ref no: BAS 58/13a
Closing date for applications: 17 Nov 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.

We are looking to appoint a Physical Oceanographer to a senior post within the Open Oceans group at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), based in Cambridge, UK. The focus of the Open Oceans group is on improving the understanding of the circulation, mixing, dynamics and Earth System feedbacks in the polar oceans, using a combination of theoretical, observational and numerical analysis techniques, and assessing the implications for the global climate. The group interacts closely with the Shelf Seas group at BAS, which is focused on investigating ice and continental shelf processes, and well as with other groups in BAS focused on study of the atmosphere, cryosphere and ecosystems.

Ongoing research interests of the Open Oceans group include:
investigating mixing processes in the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean at the mesoscale and submesoscale and dynamical interactions influencing the oceanic overturning circulation; assessing the representation of the coupled Southern Hemisphere system and of key Arctic teleconnections in climate models; monitoring and understanding the production and export of bottom water from the Antarctic continent into the Atlantic Ocean; monitoring the meridional overturning circulation in the South Atlantic; mapping the pathways of carbon uptake by the Southern Ocean; and understanding the physical controls on the interdisciplinary marine environment in the Scotia Sea and at the Antarctic peninsula.The tools used to conduct this research include autonomous ocean gliders, research ships, mooring arrays, dynamical analyses and advanced numerical modelling.

The postholder would be expected to lead a significant element of the Open Oceans workpackage, supervising some more junior staff, and to instigate new avenues of research. There would be opportunities to participate in fieldwork in both polar regions. The post would suit someone with postdoctoral experience looking to assume greater responsibilities.

Qualifications: Good first degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD or equivalent postgraduate experience in same

Duration: Open-ended

Salary: Salary will be in the range of £31,020 to £37,500 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 58/13a
Closing date for receipt of application forms is 17th November 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held w/c 2nd December 2013

If you would like further information on this post, please email Prof. Michael Meredith on mmm@bas.ac.uk

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

Physical Oceanographer
Ref No.: BAS 58/13a
Closing Date: 17 Nov 2013

1. Job Title: Physical Oceanographer
  Reference No: BAS 58/13a
  Department: Polar Oceans
  Line Manager:
  Contract Type: open-ended

2. Location:
Cambridge

3. Purpose:
This is a senior post within the Open Oceans group at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The focus of the Open Oceans group is on improving the understanding of the circulation, mixing, dynamics and Earth System feedbacks in the polar oceans, using a combination of theoretical, observational and numerical analysis techniques, and assessing the implications for the global climate. The group interacts closely with the Shelf Seas group at BAS, which is focused on investigating ice and continental shelf processes, and well as with other groups in BAS focused on study of the atmosphere, cryosphere and ecosystems. Ongoing research interests of the Open Oceans group include: investigating mixing processes in the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean at the mesoscale and submesoscale and dynamical interactions influencing the oceanic overturning ciruculation; assessing the representation of the coupled Southern Hemisphere system and of key Arctic teleconnections in climate models; monitoring and understanding the production and export of bottom water from the Antarctic continent into the Atlantic Ocean; monitoring the meridional overturning circulation in the South Atlantic; mapping the pathways of carbon uptake by the Southern Ocean; and understanding the physical controls on the interdisciplinary marine environment in the Scotia Sea and at the Antarctic peninsula. The tools used to conduct this research include autonomous ocean gliders, research ships, mooring arrays, dynamical analyses and advanced numerical modelling. The postholder would be expected to contribute to some of the research activities of the group using the appropriate combination of these tools, and to instigate new avenues of research of their own. They would lead a significant element of the Open Oceans workpackage and supervise some of the more junior staff. They would be expected to take part in and lead some fieldwork activities.

4. Duties:
1) Analyse observational data and model output from the polar oceans
2) Undertake studies to investigate ocean dynamics in polar regions and their impact on climate
3) Participate in and lead research cruises and other fieldwork as required
4) Present research results in international refereed journals, present at conferences and engage in outreach activities as required.
5) Develop and submit grant proposals that enhance the Open Oceans research programme and develop new lines of scientific investigation
6) Foster new external collaborations nationally and internationally.

Skills Specification

Physical Oceanographer
Ref No.: BAS 58/13a
Closing Date: 17 Nov 2013

Characteristics Essential Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis
  Desirable Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis
Communication skillsa) oral skillsb) written skills
* Well-established publication record in high impact journals. Skilled and confident presentation at Conferences  
* Fluent in written and spoken English language.  
 
* Able to communicate detailed technical information clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders (3)
Computer / IT skills
* Experience of running scientific code (e.g. Matlab, IDL, Fortran, Python) and skills in advanced computing techniques.  
 
* Direct experience with ocean/climate models and/or large oceanographic datasets would be an asset. (3)
Decision Making
* Will make some strategic decisions in consultation with Programme Team.  
 
Interpersonal skills
* Able to work as part of a team within BAS (Open Oceans group) and to actively seek external collaborations.  
 
Managerial ability
* Already demonstrated some leadership skills/potential  
 
Numerical ability
* Strong numerical analysis technical ability.  
 
Other Factors
* Flexible and adaptable  
 
* Understanding of how BAS science fits in to a wider perspective (3)
Qualifications
* Good first degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD or equivalent postgraduate experience in same  
* Strong knowledge of atmosphere/ocean dynamics  
 
Resource Management ability
* Able to manage small teams and resources to meet agreed objectives and deadlines.  
 
Skills / Experience
* Understanding of polar physical oceanography  
* Very good competence level in oceanographic data analysis  
* Grant writing experience  
 
* Sea-going experience highly desirable. (3)