Coastal and Estuarine Modeller – NOC

About the role :

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in coastal and estuarine modelling to join the Coastal Ocean Processes team at the National Oceanography Centre in Liverpool. This post is offered as part of the project “Salt intrusion: Understanding the Pearl River Estuary by Modelling and field Experiments (SUPREME)”, which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as a Newton Fund activity. The project is a collaboration between the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, Sun Yat-sen University in China and the National Oceanography Centre in the UK.

The overall aim of the project is to understand the three-dimensional salt transport mechanisms in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and their sensitivity to variations in external forcing and local geographic shape. The knowledge and tools developed/applied in this project will then help assess the effectiveness of measures to alleviate undesired changes in salt intrusion. The project will adopt an integrated approach, involving both idealized and numerical modeling as well as field measurements and data analysis.

The successful candidate will primarily work with Dr Laurent Amoudry and Dr Lucy Bricheno, but will also collaborate with project partners in the Netherlands, led by Dr Henk Schuttelaars, and China, led by Prof Wenping Gong. Their main role will be to implement, calibrate and validate an unstructured grid numerical model for the Pearl River Estuary. They will then conduct prognostic and diagnostic investigations for a range of scenarios of future climate change and human interventions.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment, available for three years offered on NERC terms and conditions and is open to internal and external candidates.

Salary:

This is a Band 6 position and the starting salary will be £28,200 to £30,600 per annum. Depending upon skills and experience, a salary uplift and/or additional allowances may be available for exceptional candidates.

Hours of Work:

The hours of working are full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

About you:

We seek highly-motivated individuals who will be able to complement the existing expertise at the NOC. You will have a significant background in estuarine (and coastal) hydrodynamics and transport processes. You will have expertise in coastal and estuarine modelling using a coastal ocean modelling system (e.g., FVCOM, ROMS, DELFT3D, …). You will be computationally literate, with knowledge of some programming language and scientific software. You will hold a Math/Physics/Science degree and have been (or are about to be) awarded a PhD in a relevant discipline. In addition, a background in the use of unstructured grids for modelling and a track-record of peer-reviewed scientific publications will be preferred.

What we can offer you:

In return for your talents, we offer a competitive remuneration package, including a RCUK pension scheme, 30 days annual leave with a further 14 Public/privilege days.  Opportunities for further training and development are supported. The role will include periods of travel both within the UK and internationally.

About us:

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world.

With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK’s leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development.  Working closely with its partners and associates, it provides capability to meet needs across the UK marine science community (http://noc.ac.uk/ ).

The Marine Physics and Ocean Climate research group studies fundamental physical processes in the marine environment and their connection with, and influence on, the rest of the Earth system. Our research spans microscopic to global scales, extends from the coast to the abyssal ocean, and includes boundary layer interactions with both the atmosphere and the sea bed. Within this group, the Coastal Ocean Processes team studies the processes and fundamental interactions operating on the continental shelf, from the coast up to and including the shelf break. Our work is the foundation for comprehensive models of the physics, chemistry and biology of shelf seas, which are used to predict the impacts of climate change and to help policy-makers meet directives on good environmental status. We combine field observations and numerical models to improve our knowledge of sediment transport processes so that we can better predict estuarine ecosystems and the morphology of coastal zones over several decades. We also study the exchange of nutrients and carbon at the shelf break, and the potential impacts of marine renewable energy installations.

For general enquiries regarding this role, please contact Dr Laurent Amoudry laurent.amoudry@noc.ac.uk

Our Commitment as an Employer:

The NOC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. People with disabilities and those from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome. The NOC is an Investors in People organisation and is working towards achieving Bronze status for Athena SWAN – a scheme that recognizes excellence in women’s employment in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in UK higher education. There is a guaranteed Interview Scheme for suitable candidates with disabilities.

The NOC is committed to making the NOC ‘a great place to be, where our people succeed and deliver great work’. The NOC is committed to being recognised as a flexible employer to support employees’ work and personal commitments where possible and the NOC’s Flexible Working Policy gives all employees the right to request flexible working.

From April 2018, the National Oceanography Centre, a component part of the Natural Environment Research Council, will be part of UK Research and Innovation.  UK Research and Innovation will bring together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.  The vision for the new organisation is to be the best research and innovation organisation in the world.  More information can be found online at http://www.ukri.org.   From April 2018, you will be employed by UK Research and Innovation.

How to apply:

Applications are handled by the UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS); for further information about the role and to apply, please visit our website at http://topcareer.jobs/ quoting reference number IRC242691.  If you are unable to apply online please contact us by telephone on 00 44 (0) 1793 867003.

Closing date: 20^th October 2017

Interview date: It is proposed that interview will take place on 6^th November 2017.