Coastal and Estuarine Modeller – NOC

MPOWIR Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 28,200 - 30,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

RCUK pension scheme

30 days annual leave

14 Public/Privilege days

Opportunities for further training and development

Job summary

A leading marine research organization in Liverpool is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in coastal and estuarine modelling for a project on salt intrusion in the Pearl River Estuary. The successful candidate will have a strong background in hydrodynamics and modelling, and will collaborate with international partners. This full-time, three-year position offers a competitive salary and benefits including annual leave and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Significant background in estuarine and coastal hydrodynamics and transport processes.
• Experience in coastal and estuarine modelling using relevant systems.
• Computational literacy and knowledge of programming languages and scientific software.
• Math/Physics/Science degree and PhD in a relevant discipline (or nearing completion).
• Preferred background in the use of unstructured grids for modelling and peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Implement and validate a numerical model for the Pearl River Estuary.
• Conduct investigations for future climate change scenarios.
• Collaborate with project partners in the Netherlands and China.

Skills

Estuarine and coastal hydrodynamics

Coastal and estuarine modelling

Programming languages

Scientific software

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Math/Physics/Science degree

Tools

FVCOM

ROMS

DELFT3D

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in coastal and estuarine modelling to join the Coastal Ocean Processes team at the National Oceanography Centre in Liverpool. This post is offered as part of the project “Salt intrusion: Understanding the Pearl River Estuary by Modelling and field Experiments (SUPREME)”, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as a Newton Fund activity. The project is a collaboration between the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, Sun Yat-sen University in China and the National Oceanography Centre in the UK.

The overall aim of the project is to understand the three-dimensional salt transport mechanisms in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and their sensitivity to variations in external forcing and local geographic shape. The knowledge and tools developed/applied in this project will then help assess the effectiveness of measures to alleviate undesired changes in salt intrusion. The project will adopt an integrated approach, involving both idealized and numerical modeling as well as field measurements and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Implement, calibrate and validate an unstructured grid numerical model for the Pearl River Estuary.
• Conduct prognostic and diagnostic investigations for a range of scenarios of future climate change and human interventions.
• Collaborate with project partners in the Netherlands and China, and with project leaders at NOC.

Qualifications and experience

• Significant background in estuarine (and coastal) hydrodynamics and transport processes.
• Experience in coastal and estuarine modelling using a coastal ocean modelling system (e.g., FVCOM, ROMS, DELFT3D, …).
• Computational literacy with knowledge of programming languages and scientific software.
• Math/Physics/Science degree and PhD in a relevant discipline (or nearing completion).
• Background in the use of unstructured grids for modelling and a track-record of peer-reviewed scientific publications is preferred.

Contract and location

This is a Fixed Term Appointment, available for three years, offered on NERC terms and conditions, and open to internal and external candidates. This is a Band 6 position with starting salary of £28,200 to £30,600 per annum. Depending on skills and experience, a salary uplift and/or additional allowances may be available for exceptional candidates.

Working hours

Hours of work are full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

What we can offer

Competitive remuneration package, including a RCUK pension scheme, 30 days annual leave with a further 14 Public/Privilege days. Opportunities for further training and development are supported. The role will include periods of travel both within the UK and internationally.

About us

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean. The NOC is a leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development, with sites in Liverpool and Southampton. It provides capability to meet needs across the UK marine science community.

The Coastal Ocean Processes team studies processes on the continental shelf and the shelf break. Our work supports models of the physics, chemistry and biology of shelf seas used to predict the impacts of climate change and to inform policy. We combine field observations and numerical models to improve understanding of sediment transport and estuarine ecosystems, and the morphology of coastal zones over decades.

Equal opportunities and working culture

The NOC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The NOC is an Investors in People organisation and is working towards Bronze status for Athena SWAN. The NOC provides a guaranteed Interview Scheme for suitable candidates with disabilities and supports flexible working where possible.

How to apply

Applications are handled by the UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS). For more information about the role and to apply, please visit our website and quote reference number IRC242691. If you are unable to apply online, please contact us by telephone.

Interview date

It is proposed that interviews will take place on 6 November 2017.