Postdoctoral Position, Biogeochemical Fluxes – University of Washington

The Gray and Deutsch research groups in the School of Oceanography are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with a team using autonomous ocean observations and models to investigate three-dimensional transport pathways and biogeochemical fluxes in the Southern Ocean. This position is full-time (100% FTE), 12-months/year, with an initial term appointment of one year (12 months), renewable depending on satisfactory performance for a total period of up to 3 years. The start date is negotiable and is available immediately.

The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).

This project will use observations from ocean gliders and Biogeochemical-Argo floats deployed together in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to understand the processes that contribute to high-frequency spatial and temporal variability in Southern Ocean tracer distributions.  The research associate’s work will include analysis of observational data as well as model output to investigate the mechanisms operating at meso- to submesoscale resolution that generate exchange across the base of the mixed layer.  Communicating the results by writing and publishing scientific manuscripts and giving presentations will be a central part of this project, together with collaborating with an interdisciplinary group of scientists at the University of Washington (C. Deutsch, A. Gray) and the California Institute of Technology (A. Thompson).  In addition, there will be opportunities for the research associate to engage with the multi-institution Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) project.  Professional development opportunities will also be available to the research associate through the University of Washington Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (https://grad.uw.edu/for-students-and-post-docs/post-doctoral-affairs/). All UW faculty engage in teaching, research, and service.

The University of Washington, College of the Environment, and School of Oceanography are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural, inclusive environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. The School of Oceanography is therefore seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion. For more information on our commitment to building a culturally diverse workforce, please see: http://www.washington.edu/diversity/ and https://environment.uw.edu/about/diversity-commitment/.

Required: A Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in oceanography or a related field is required. In addition to interests in ocean dynamics and/or biogeochemistry, the successful candidate for this position will have a strong physical, mathematical, and/or computational background; programming experience in at least one general purpose language; demonstrated written and verbal communication skills; and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with individuals from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

Desired: Additional areas of expertise could include submesoscale ocean physics, autonomous ocean observations particularly bio-optical measurements, and/or high-resolution ocean modeling.  The research associate will be expected to collaborate with project investigators and other researchers.

Applicants should apply via Interfolio and should submit (1) a letter of interest describing their skills and experience, (2) a curriculum-vitae including a list of publications, and (3) the names and contact information for three references. PDF files are preferred.