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Bangor

    Postdoctoral Research Officer in Hydroclimatology - Bangor, United Kingdom - Bangor University

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    Description

    Job Number

    BU03534

    School/Department

    School of Ocean Sciences

    Grade

    7

    Contract Duration

    24 months

    Responsible to

    Research Fellow

    Overview

    The School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey, is a multidisciplinary department with a focus on freshwater and marine sciences and a strong history of international research excellence and collaboration. Core research interests include Earth System Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Biology and Ecology, and Climate Change Science.

    The Project

    Over the past 50 years, the Arctic has warmed at more than twice the global rate and it is virtually certain that this will continue. In response to this, the Greenland Ice Sheet has lost mass, and consequently the retreat of ice margins and increasing amounts of melt have led to a substantial growth in the number and size of ice-marginal lakes. These lakes are important because they play a key role in controlling rates of ice marginal melt as well as impacting up-glacier ice dynamics. We currently have almost no data on how their thermal characteristics have changed (or not) over recent decades, and even less firm evidence to quantify how they will evolve into the future and the likely effect that will have on melt. The aim of this project is, therefore, to characterise the temporal and spatial thermal regime of Greenlandic ice-marginal lakes, and their impact on ice margin dynamics and recession.

    Purpose of the Job

    We are looking to recruit an independent and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Officer to work full time on a NERC-funded research project entitled: 'Greenland ice marginal lake evolution as a driver of ice sheet change - how important are rising lake temperatures?' The project will focus on the hitherto sparsely-studied ice-marginal lake environment and seek to quantify its role in shaping the future of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

    The role of the successful applicant will be to lead a modelling-focussed work-package that will involve simulating the thermal response of ice-marginal lakes in Greenland under climate change. This will involve simulating the surface water temperature of lakes and investigate how they interact with the Greenland Ice Sheet. The researcher will be expected to play a leading role in the modelling work – which can include the use of process-based and/or deep learning models, as well as a combination of both.

    The project also has additional remote sensing and field-based work packages, and the successful candidate will be expected to interact and engage with these. The successful candidate will take the lead on relevant publications and conference presentations, as well as facilitating other outreach and dissemination pathways as they see fit. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University but will form part of a team that also includes scientists at the Universities of York, Leeds and Reading.

    Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Gathering and analysing data. This will include acquiring and maintaining a thorough and up to date knowledge of the scientific literature related to the research aims of the project; actively support the principal investigator in developing new techniques for the validation of satellite data and numerical simulations of lakes.
  • Delivering research outcomes. This will include contributing to the dissemination of research outputs through relevant scientific technical and public press and conferences; working with partners to disseminate results to the scientific community; collaborate with co-researchers and write up the results in scientific articles; write regular updates on progress to the project management group.
  • Administration of the research project. This will include participating in project meetings and coordinating the project to meet its aims and objectives.
  • Other duties and responsibilities specific to the role include advising and collaborating with PhD students within the School of Ocean Sciences, actively participate in specific College activities, and project management.
  • Other Duties and Responsibilities

  • The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
  • The post holder will be expected to comply with the University's equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University's Welsh Language Scheme.
  • The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and well-being and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
  • The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
  • Person Specification

    Qualifications/Training

    Essential


    • PhD in relevant subject (Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Data Science, Limnology, Glaciology or related field) or be close to the completion of.


    Experience/Knowledge

    Essential

  • Experience working with large geospatial datasets from multiple sources.
  • Experience with programming languages such as Matlab/R/Python.
  • Demonstrate good verbal and written skills.
  • Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
  • Experience of using lake models (process-based and/or machine learning) to investigate water temperature.
  • Demonstrated ability to publish in high quality scientific journals.
  • The ability to manage time effectively and to deliver detailed reports to deadlines.
  • Desirable

  • Experience in the field of Climatology/Modelling/Limnology.
  • Journal publications in the field of Climate Science, Earth Science, Earth Observation, Limnology.
  • Experience applying satellite EO data for studying lake temperature.
  • Track record of conference presentations.
  • Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.
  • The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.
  • General

    We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

    All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

    All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.



  • Bangor University Bangor, United Kingdom Full time, Part time, Fixed-Term/Contract

    Applications are invited for the role of Postdoctoral Research Officer in Hydroclimatology. The post is within the School of Ocean Sciences, on a UKRI NERC-funded research project on 'Greenland ice marginal lake evolution as a driver of ice sheet change - how important are rising ...