Research Associate in Oceanic Blue Carbon

Imperial College London seeks a full-time Research Associate in Oceanic Blue Carbon, focusing on marine carbon cycling and storage in polar ecosystems. The role involves developing computational models, leading publications, and collaborating with a large international consortium. The position is hybrid, based at Silwood Park Campus, and offers opportunities for fieldwork and career growth. Candidates with experience in computational modelling and knowledge of ocean carbon processes are encouraged to apply.
Job number

NAT01889

Faculties

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Salary or Salary range

£48,056 - £56,345 per annum

Location/campus

Silwood Park Campus - Hybrid

Contract type work pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Posting End Date

1 Apr 2025

About the role

This post is funded by UKRI and is part of a large Horizon Europe consortia, SeaQUESTER, https://sea-quester.eu/ which aims to better understand marine carbon cycling and storage in polar ecosystems, and how climate change may produce new or novel blue carbon ecosystems as sea-ice melts. The regional focus is on Arctic and Antarctic ocean ecosystems. We are looking for an enthusiastic Research Associate to join the team, and develop computational approaches to assess blue carbon transit and stocks.

What you would be doing

You will be responsible for using different modelling approaches to determine the sequestration time of a variety of different marine carbon sinks using collated data from across the project (i.e the biological pump plus others including benthic carbon). The post will involve designing a new modelling framework allowing us to assess carbon sequestration globally and at the poles, across multiple biological mechanisms. This will involve constraining different types of data to make them useable for modelling purposes. You may also get the opportunity to go to sea too.

You will be responsible for leading and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications, and will work closely with the wider project team. You will present findings to the research team as well as at national and/or international conferences. As this project is part of a large consortium, you will have the opportunity, and be expected to, collaborate widely within our smaller sub-team, but also with the rest of the consortia. There will also be the opportunity to work with international partners.

What we are looking for
• Experience in computational modelling related to biogeochemistry or physics
• A track record of overseeing successful experiments from design, manipulation and sampling, to data analysis and publishing the results
• Knowledge of processes involved in organic carbon cycling in the ocean
• Strong knowledge and ability in R or Python and other relevant applications to the study of biogeochemical/ecological statistics.
• Enthusiasm for research in ocean carbon science.

What we can offer you
• Being part of a large international network of project partners from across Europe, with the possibility of fieldwork and placements in the Arctic
• Inclusion in a vibrant team at Silwood Park Campus working on many aspects of oceanic and freshwater carbon cycling
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further information

The post is funded by UKRI through Horizon Europe.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

Applicants who may require or prefer part-time or flexible working are encouraged to apply. The post is based at Silwood Park Campus. Hybrid working is possible. Start date is mid-2025.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Emma Cavan, e.cavan@imperial.ac.uk

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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