Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Biogeochemistry

**Fixed term for 24 months**





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 programme
(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.





For further details of the role please see the job description.





This role is available from 1 April 2024 and is fixed term for 24 months.





The deadline for applications is **midday on 4th December 2023**.





Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 11th December 2023





You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your
application. **Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark
sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your
application.**





Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority
candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.