The University of Edinburgh
Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Polar Diatom Responses To Changes In Light And Biogeochemical Impacts
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Job Description
UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum
CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Full-time: 35 Hours per week
Fixed Term: 36-months
The Opportunity
Post-doctoral research associate: Phytoplankton responses to changes in light and biogeochemical impacts.
A unique employer in a vibrant city
The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.
Make a meaningful impact
Join the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be making a difference to everything around you. Be part of something bigger — where you’ll do meaningful work, grow and progress, be rewarded and recognised, and benefit from our strong commitment to your wellbeing. There are so many reasons to join us.
Academic
The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics and researchers can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic and research roles and have a genuine focus on our students’ performance and wellbeing.
The Position
Responses of natural systems to climate change impacts are a major international research priority, and the world’s oceans are a key research focus. The Southern Ocean in particular is critically important at the global scale, as a modulator of global climate through the uptake of heat and carbon, driver of global ocean currents and home to globally important biodiversity consisting of resident and migratory organisms. Central to many of these phenomena are Antarctic phytoplankton, and yet their responses to ongoing climate change – and in particular the availability of light – remain poorly constrained. The biogeochemical impacts of these responses – especially with respect to silica cycling within and beyond the Southern Ocean – remain even more elusive. The newly awarded NERC Pushing the Frontiers grant Polar Dawn aims to address these fundamental research gaps.
Join a world-leading team in marine biological and biochemical responses to climate change and lead a cutting-edge experimental study to examine how dark-light transitions impact population growth and silica uptake in Antarctic diatoms. You will work with a dynamic team with a range of expertise to advance scientific understanding of how Antarctic diatoms respond to changes in their light environment and what the consequences of these responses are for uptake and cycling of silica, as a key macronutrient in the Southern Ocean. Through this project, you will also support the wider project team, including providing guidance to PhD students and others, as well as having many opportunities to build collaborations and networks nationally and internationally.
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People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support all staff.
A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:
- Professional development and subject matter expertise
- Leading-edge research
- Opportunities for publication
This post is full-time (35 hours per week); we are open to considering flexible working patterns as long as this is compatible with the requirements for the laboratory work. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working that is compatible with the project goals.
How To Apply
Please include the following documents in your application:
- CV and publications list
- Cover letter
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
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We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. This role is open to Sponsorship of Skilled Workers and Temporary Worker Sponsored Researchers according to the UK Government Visas and Immigration service.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 15 September 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser’s local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
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