UKRI
Physical Oceanographer
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Contract type Fixed-Term Contract – 20 Months Location Cambridge Salary £42,688 to £46,957 per annum Closing date 20 September 2026
Purpose
We are seeking a physical oceanographer with experience running and analysing ocean models. This post will focus on contributing to the Observing System Optimisation work package within the Horizon Europe SYNCHRONY project; specifically through producing target maps for observations of essential variables and relevant indicators for Southern Ocean warming and the Southern Ocean carbonate system. This will involve running and analysing adjoint sensitivity experiments using an ocean state estimate, complemented by analysing and comparing observational air-sea flux products. These will contribute towards the deliverable of an optimal air-sea flux measuring strategy and an optimal carbon and biogeochemical measurement strategy.
Duties
- Produce and analyse adjoint sensitivity experiments within an ocean state estimate, focused on indicators of Southern Ocean heat and carbon storage
- Analyse and compare air-sea flux observational products for heat and carbon over the Southern Ocean
- Manage the code base and datasets produced by the above work
- Write, publish and communicate scientific findings resulting from this analysis and associated research. This includes contributing towards specific Horizon Europe milestones and deliverables
- Participate in meetings of the Horizon Europe SYNCHRONY project and communicate findings to, and proactively collaborate with, partners
- Work collaboratively with other members of the Polar Oceans team, including, but not limited to:
- (i) Presenting research at national/international conferences and meetings,
- (ii) Liaising with external visitors including seminar speakers, and
- (iii) Assisting with communication activities to promote the work of the Polar Oceans team both internally within BAS and externally to other academics, policy makers and/or the general public
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
- Excellent understanding of ocean and global climate dynamics
- PhD in ocean/climate dynamics or equivalent postgraduate experience
- Strong numerical ability consistent with manipulating, analysing, and interpreting ocean data
- Basic familiarity with at least one coding language such as Matlab, python, Julia, c or Fortran.
- Ability to manage project workflow and balance time/resources between projects
- Proven ability to present research effectively in written and oral form with examples of publication in leading journals
- Track record of independent research and associated decision making
- Ability to work as part of a team within the SYNCHRONY project and across the EU partner institutions
- Demonstrated experience managing changes in project scope or unforeseen challenges
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Desirable
- Demonstrated understanding of Southern Ocean dynamics
- Demonstrated understanding of Southern Ocean carbon cycle
- Experience analysing ocean models
- Experience analysing adjoint models
- Experience comparing ocean observational products
- Experience editing model code and running numerical models
- Experience running adjoint model simulations
- Able to communicate detailed technical information clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders
- Understanding of how BAS science fits into a wider perspective
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI [https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/benefits-of-working-for-ukri/].
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. [https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/edi-in-the-workforce/#contents-list]
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.
British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Our skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through our extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org
We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe! If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.
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