Postdoctoral Research Officer in Cryospheric Climate Impacts

Job Number

BU03700

School/Department

School of Ocean Sciences

Grade

7

Salary Information

Salary: £37,099 – £44,263 p.a. (Grade 7)

Contract Duration

24 months

Responsible to

NERC Independent Research Fellow

Closing Date

06-01-2025

Applications are invited for a fixed-term, full-time Postdoctoral Research Officer in Cryospheric Climate Impacts in the School of Ocean Sciences, on a NFRF-funded “Arctic Routes” project focusing on Climate changed transportation in the Arctic.

Duties will include leading a modelling-focused work package aimed at stimulating the thermal response of lake ice to climate change, addressing parameters such as ice cover duration, thickness, and quality across the Northern Hemisphere. This work will involve the development and application of advanced process-based models, machine learning techniques, or an integrated approach combining both, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of current Arctic research. The postholder will also actively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams working on remote sensing and field-based studies to construct a comprehensive understanding of cryospheric evolution under warming scenarios.

Candidates should be educated to PhD level in Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Data Science, Limnology, Glaciology or related field, or be very near completion. Applicants will have experience working with large geospatial datasets from multiple sources and experience with programming languages such as Matlab/R/Python.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible, and the post is available for a duration of 24 months.

This role will be located on campus at Menai Bridge. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Interested applicants are welcome to contact Dr Iestyn Woolway, Reader in the School of Ocean Sciences, e-mail iestyn.woolway@bangor.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: 06 January 2025

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

The School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located 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 and Climate Change Science.

The Project

This NFRF-funded “Arctic Routes” project addresses the urgent challenges posed by rapid warming in the Arctic, where temperatures are rising four times faster than the global average.

Indigenous communities across the circumpolar Arctic, reliant on cryospheric stability for transportation, food security, and cultural practices, face significant risks due to deteriorating ice and snow conditions. Notably, sea ice decline, accelerated lake ice loss, and increased occurrences of structurally weaker white ice have amplified mobility hazards and drowning incidents.

Our research aims to co-develop solutions with Inuit communities to enhance safety, sustainability, and resilience. The project’s first goal is to map and forecast safe ice and snow conditions using a real-time dashboard informed by advanced modelling, traditional knowledge, and community observations. This dashboard aims to support safer travel and resource access despite changing conditions. The second goal is to bolster Indigenous capacity in land stewardship through innovative observational and modelling tools, facilitating knowledge exchange across generations and communities.

By integrating physical, psychological, and cultural dimensions, the project will explore the impacts of hazardous cryospheric changes on transportation and food systems, contributing to better health and well-being. This collaborative approach seeks to empower Arctic communities with adaptive strategies that merge science, traditional practices, and legal insights.

Purpose of the Job

We are seeking an independent, driven, and highly skilled Postdoctoral Research Officer to contribute to the NFRF-funded “Arctic Routes” project, dedicated to tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change on transportation in the Arctic.

This research role focuses on understanding how climate change affects transportation networks in cold regions, with a particular emphasis on the winter roads that utilize lakes and rivers in the far north. These pathways are critical for remote and Indigenous communities, supporting the transport of essential supplies and access to cultural and subsistence activities.

The successful candidate will lead a modelling-focused work package aimed at stimulating the thermal response of lake ice to climate change, addressing parameters such as ice cover duration, thickness, and quality across the Northern Hemisphere. This work will involve the development and application of advanced process-based models, machine learning techniques, or an integrated approach combining both, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of current Arctic research.

Beyond core modelling responsibilities, the candidate will actively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams working on remote sensing and field-based studies to construct a comprehensive understanding of cryospheric evolution under warming scenarios.

This role involves leading the production of impactful research papers, presenting at high-profile conferences, and engaging in outreach initiatives to maximize the project’s visibility and real-world impact. The post holder will join the vibrant academic environment at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, while forming an integral part of an international research team that includes scientists from York University in Canada and other collaborating institutions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Gathering and analysing data: Acquire, process, and interpret data to support the project’s objectives. This includes maintaining a comprehensive and current understanding of relevant scientific literature, contributing to data collection efforts, and supporting the principal investigator in refining and developing new methodologies for the numerical simulation of lake ice dynamics. Engage in comparative studies to assess and improve the accuracy of modelling outputs.
• Delivering research outcomes: Lead the dissemination of findings through high-impact scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations at international conferences. Collaborate with research partners to share results with the wider scientific community and stakeholders. Prepare clear and comprehensive write-ups for scientific articles and contribute to public engagement and outreach activities. Provide regular updates and reports to the project management group to keep all stakeholders informed of progress.
• Administration of the research project: Participate actively in project meetings and contribute to planning and coordination to ensure the project meets its goals. Assist in coordinating project timelines, task allocations, and deliverables. Support grant reporting and compliance with project milestones.
• Collaboration and mentorship: Advise and collaborate with PhD students and junior researchers within the PI’s group, fostering a supportive and productive research environment. Share expertise through workshops or seminars and contribute to the academic community’s collective knowledge.
• Interdisciplinary engagement: Work closely with teams involved in complementary work packages, such as remote sensing and field-based studies. Contribute to interdisciplinary dialogues and joint research efforts to enhance the understanding of Arctic ice dynamics.
• Project management support: Assist the principal investigator and team with project organisation, including timeline management, resource allocation, and quality assurance for outputs. Ensure that research activities align with the overarching goals of the project and adhere to best practices in research ethics and data 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 hydrological/lake models (process-based and/or machine learning).
• 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 model data for studying climate change impacts on lake ice.
• 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

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

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.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.     

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme)  from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme. 

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.