Job reference
P90125
Date posted
23/10/2023
Application closing date
20/11/2023
Location
Exeter
Salary
The starting salary will be from £32,982 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate and £41,732 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow, depending on qualifications and experience.
Package
Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).
Contractual hours
36.5
Basis
Full-time
Job category/type
Research
Attachments
Job/description/P90125/PDRF.pdf Job/description/P90125/PDRA.pdf
Job description
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
This new full-time post is immediately available until 31/10/2026 on a fixed term basis.
The post
We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Fellow in marine zooplankton physiology, ecology and biogeochemistry to participate in the IDAPro project (‘Integrating Drivers of Atlantic Productivity'). IDAPro aims to deliver new process understanding of the drivers of marine primary production and thus reduce uncertainty in projections of how ocean productivity will change in the future. It is a component of the NERC-funded ‘BioCarbon' programme (https: // bio- carbon.ac.uk/about; https: // www. ukri.org/what-we-do/our-main-funds-and-areas- of-support/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/biological-influence-on- future-ocean-storage-of-carbon-bio-carbon/).
The post involves planning and conducting a range of observations and experiments at sea to quantify rates of zooplankton grazing and nutrient recycling using a combination of established and state-of-the-art techniques. The resulting data will be used to further understanding of how zooplankton physiology influences nutrient stoichiometry and ocean productivity. This NERC-funded post is available until 31/10/2026.
The successful applicant is expected to participate on two dedicated research expeditions to the Iceland Basin, North Atlantic, in 2024 and assume responsibility for data generation, interpretation and publication/dissemination. The associated work will involve close collaboration with other plankton ecologists, trace metal biogeochemists and ecosystem modellers, requiring excellent interpersonal skills.
You will join a team led by Prof. Daniel Mayor at the University of Exeter and will work closely with Dr Kathryn Cook (University of Exeter) and other scientists at project partner institutions across the UK (Universities of Southampton, Oxford, Liverpool, Heriot-Watt and the National Oceanography Centre) as well as with our international partners.
About you
Postdoctoral Research Associate: The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.
The successful applicant will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in zooplankton physiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or a related field. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in the subject area and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Experience of conducting rate-process experiments on live plankton would be highly advantageous, as would prior experience of working at sea or under other challenging conditions. Strong analytical and numerical skills would also be beneficial. You will be expected to publish your results in the peer-reviewed literature.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.
What we can offer you
Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Mayor, e-mail [email protected].