Research Fellow in Ocean Biogeochemistry – Marine Biogeochemistry

Location:  National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary:   £30,395 to £32,236 
Full Time Fixed Term (until 30/04/2021)
Closing Date:  Monday 28 January 2019
Reference:  1090018HN

We are looking to recruit a highly skilled individual to undertake a programme of research within a NERC funded project investigating the biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean. The recruited Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will work on the influence of iron and other environmental conditions on phytoplankton community composition and elemental stoichiometry as a key component of the wider project ‘Carbon Uptake and Seasonal Traits of Antarctic Remineralisation’ (CUSTARD: https://roses.ac.uk/custard/), which itself forms part of the broader NERC RoSES programme (https://roses.ac.uk/) .

Biogeochemical processes within the Southern Ocean form a key component of the global carbon cycle. However significant uncertainties remain concerning the controls on phytoplankton growth and consequent elemental cycling which form a major component of this system. Within this context, CUSTARD aims to collect, analyse and interpret new data within an important and highly under-sampled region.

You will have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in some field relating to biological and/or biogeochemical oceanography. You would be expected to participate in the project’s dedicated research cruise to the Pacific sector of the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean in late 2019, subsequently leading analysis and dissemination of key aspects of this research. Knowledge or experience in at sea experimental work, trace metal clean sampling, phytoplankton photosynthetic physiology and/or at sea primary production measurements would be advantageous.

You will work at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton in Ocean and Earth Sciences and join an active group studying the role of phytoplankton in the global oceans and links to the cycles of carbon and nutrients in the Earth system.

This post is available until the 30/04/2021 from April 2019.

*Applications 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 completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.