Postdoctoral Research Associate – Physical Oceanography, Climate Science or Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) is a multi-disciplinary research group comprising one of the largest university research facilities of its kind in Australia. CCRC houses research expertise in the key project areas of atmospheric convection and global climate modelling. The centre also houses expertise in global climate change and extremes of weather and climate. Our oceans program focuses on global ocean thermohaline circulation, water-mass formation, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, western boundary currents, and the ocean carbon cycle. On the land surface we focus on modelling terrestrial processes in climate models, to develop our understanding of the effects of carbon dynamics, hydrology and vegetation processes on climate.

The CCRC is also the host department of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx). Established in 2017, CLEx is a major initiative funded by the Australian Research Council. The Centre is an international research consortium of five Australian universities and a suite of outstanding national and international Partner Organisations. The Centre will improve our understanding of the processes that trigger or enhance extremes and build this understanding into our modelling systems. The improved predictions of climate extremes will enable improvements in how Australia copes with extremes now and in the future.

About the role

• Level A – $95,449 to $102,091 per annum plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 24-month duration starting in Jan 2020 with possible extension
• Full time (35 hours per week)

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on a Discovery Project funded by the Australian Research Council, ‘Risks of rapid ocean warming at the Antarctic continental margin’. (DP190100494) which aims to use high resolution ocean – sea ice models to examine mechanisms for warming of Antarctic continental shelf waters via both large-scale drivers and fine-scale processes. This Discovery Project is funded for 2019-2022 and represents a collaboration between investigators at UNSW, ANU and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton.

The role of Postdoctoral Research Associate reports to Scientia Professor Matthew England, and has nil direct reports. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will also work closely with other project investigators: Professor Andy Hogg (The Australian National University), Dr Paul Spence (The University of New South Wales) and Dr Adele Morrison (The Australian National University).

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Conduct research in line with the project’s aims, independently and as part of a team and under the direction of the supervisor.
• Assist in the supervision of postgraduate or honours students in this project area as opportunities
• arise.
• Collaborate with other postdoctoral fellows on this project or others working on related matters to produce project outcomes.
• Prepare scientific reports and papers; coordinate research activities; participate in the setting of research directions and any other research activities as required.
• Maintain a strong focus on communication by interacting with the international research community, publishing in highly ranked journals, and presenting to peers at local and international conferences.
• Assist in the teaching of undergraduate courses (encouraged).
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Completion of Ph.D. in physical oceanography, climate science, geophysical fluid dynamics or other relevant field, such as physics or mathematics as evidenced by a record of publications and independent research of a high international standard.
• Demonstrated experience in ocean modelling, and Antarctic coastal or Southern Ocean research is desirable
• Demonstrated experience in analysing output from numerical models of the climate system, with high-level expertise in programming (e.g. Fortran, Python) and High-Performance Computing.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently in a research environment.
• An ability to mentor research students in the field of expertise.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality project outcomes in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

 Postdoctoral Research Associate (498040) – Position Description.pdf

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application. Please apply online – applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:
Matthew England
E: m.england@unsw.edu.au