Marine Biogeochemist

Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident

Investors in Diversity Silver

Flexible working

Family friendly policies

Job summary

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) seeks an enthusiastic Marine Biogeochemist to join our Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations team. The role combines laboratory analysis, fieldwork, data management and reporting to generate high-quality environmental measurements for understanding marine ecosystems.

You will lead nutrient analysis, support shared lab facilities and contribute to research across river catchments, coastal waters and the open ocean.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Marine/Environmental Science or Chemistry.
• Experience operating analytical instrumentation in lab or field.
• Experience producing and interpreting environmental data with quality control.

Responsibilities

• Lead nutrient analysis and manage lab facilities.
• Conduct land-based and sea-going fieldwork campaigns.
• Generate traceable datasets and contribute to reports.

Skills

Marine science degree

Laboratory experience

Data handling / QA

Work planning

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Health and safety

Education

Degree in Marine Science or related

Job description

Location

Plymouth

Vacancy Type

Open Ended Appointment

Application Deadline

Friday, October 23, 2026

Salary

£38,213 on appointment, rising in spine increments over 5 years to £47885

Job Eligible for Skilled Worker Visa

Only if the candidate meets Home Office criteria for an applicable salary discount (e.g., holding a relevant STEM PhD, or qualifying as a New Entrant)

Job Summary

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Marine Biogeochemist to join our internationally recognised Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations team.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative marine science through a varied role that combines laboratory analysis, fieldwork, data management and scientific reporting. Working across a diverse portfolio of research projects, you will help generate the high-quality environmental measurements that are essential for understanding marine ecosystems and the processes that shape them.

As part of a collaborative and supportive team, you will provide scientific and technical expertise across a range of marine research activities. You will take a leading role in nutrient analysis and support the management of shared laboratory facilities, using advanced analytical instrumentation in both laboratory and field settings. Your work will contribute to research spanning river catchments, coastal waters and the open ocean.

Fieldwork is a key part of this position, and you will have opportunities to take part in both land‑based surveys and sea‑going research expeditions, including extended research cruises. Working within PML's accredited quality framework, you will play an important role in delivering robust, traceable datasets that support world‑class science and environmental solutions.

Key Deliverables

• Participate in and support the successful delivery of land‑based and sea‑going fieldwork campaigns.
• Collect, process and analyse environmental samples, including nutrients, particulate carbon and nitrogen, chlorophyll‑a, oxygen, and carbon chemistry parameters (TA, DIC, pH, CDOM and DOC).
• Operate, maintain, calibrate, deploy and troubleshoot laboratory and field‑based analytical instrumentation.
• Lead nutrient analysis activities and support the effective management of shared laboratory facilities.
• Generate, manage and maintain high‑quality, fully traceable scientific datasets.
• Undertake data analysis and contribute to the interpretation and presentation of scientific results.
• Contribute to scientific reports, technical documentation and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Support the development of future research opportunities and funding proposals.
• Promote and maintain PML's ISO‑accredited standards of quality, health and safety, and environmental responsibility across all activities.

Skills Specification

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Marine Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Practical experience of laboratory and/or field‑based scientific work, including the operation of analytical instrumentation.
• Experience producing, managing and interpreting high‑quality analytical and environmental data, including instrument calibration, data processing and quality control procedures.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads effectively, delivering to agreed deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present scientific information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, health and safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork, including research vessel deployments and periods of travel away from home.

Desirable

• Experience working with nutrient autoanalysers, stable isotope mass spectrometry, gas chromatography or similar analytical systems.
• Knowledge of marine and estuarine biogeochemistry, oceanographic observations or environmental monitoring.
• Experience working within accredited laboratory environments and quality management systems.
• Experience managing laboratory facilities, equipment and consumables.
• Experience of data analysis, visualisation or scientific programming using R, Python or similar tools.
• Experience contributing to scientific publications, technical reports and/or funding proposals.
• Previous experience of marine field campaigns and/or current sea survival certification.

Applicant Information

Interviews for this position will be held on Wednesday 18th November

If you have any questions about this position please email [e-mail].

PML is a Disability Confident employer, and we have recently attained the Investors in Diversity Silver accreditation. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, where all can succeed based on merit, and will provide any reasonable adjustments required to enable this. To support staff from all backgrounds, we offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and staff engagement forums.