About the role:
An exciting opportunity is available within the UK contribution to a new international project, “Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program” (UK-OSNAP). We are looking for a highly-motivated postdoctoral researcher to apply novel inverse methods to estimate the ocean circulation from in-situ observations and satellite altimetry.

The subpolar North Atlantic is a key region for global climate dynamics. It links the global Meridional Overturning Circulation to high-latitude sites of deep convection and flow through gateways around the Arctic, yet its circulation remains poorly understood and its transport and mixing processes poorly captured by climate models. OSNAP is a collaborative project between the US, UK, Germany, Canada and the Netherlands that will sample the ocean at high frequency between Scotland, Greenland and Labrador. It will link to the RAPID array at 26°N and the EU FP7 ThOR project to systematically diagnose and monitor the circulation.

The researcher will primarily use Argo profiling float observations of temperature and salinity, together with the Tracer-Contour Inverse Method to estimate the 3D circulation and mixing in the North Atlantic on sub-monthly timescales. Other techniques will be applied to constrain the uncertainty due to physical assumptions and due to aliasing of the data by ocean eddies. The 3D, time-varying solution will then use information from the OSNAP and RAPID arrays to derive a best estimate of the North Atlantic circulation and mixing from the subtropics to the subpolar boundary.

This project will provide significant scope for major collaborative studies on physical processes and access to the latest observations and model output. By understanding flow variability and processes in this region, we aim to improve our understanding of global climate.

This post is offered on NERC terms and conditions

Salary: £26,450 to £29,710 per annum.

About you:
You must have a PhD in mathematics/physics/Earth sciences/engineering and have led or shown the potential to lead research projects. You should have a good knowledge of ocean dynamics and strong programming and communication skills, and the ability to conduct innovative research leading to high-impact publications.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Chris Wilson, cwi@noc.ac.uk

What we can offer you:
In return for your talents, we offer a competitive remuneration package, including a UKSBS pension scheme, 30 days annual leave with a further 10.5 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:
We are part of the Natural Environment Research Council and a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world. With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK’s leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Working closely with its partners and associates, it provides capability to meet needs across the UK marine science community (http://noc.ac.uk/).

How to apply:
Applications are handled by UKSBS; for further information about the role and to apply, please visit our website at http://topcareer.jobs/ quoting reference number IRC118873. If you are unable to apply online please contact us by telephone on 00 44 (0) 1793 867000.

Closing date: Closing date 16 December 2013. It is proposed that interviews will take place during January 2014 and the successful candidate will start in early 2014.