Job Number
BU03716
School/Department
School of Ocean Sciences
Grade
7
Salary Information
Salary: ÂŁ37,099 – ÂŁ44,263 p.a. (Grade 7)
Contract Duration
24 months
Responsible to
NERC Independent Research Fellow
Closing Date
03-02-2025
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Officer in Hydrodynamic Modelling in the School of Ocean Sciences working on a Royal Society-funded project focussing on “Extremes in Brazilian Amazon lakes and its implications for social-ecological systems”.
Duties will include leading a modelling-focused work package aimed at stimulating the hydrodynamic and thermal response of lakes in the Amazon to climate change, addressing parameters such as water level and water temperature across the Amazon basin. This work will involve the development and application of advanced process-based models, machine learning techniques, or an integrated approach combining both.
Candidates should possess a PhD in relevant subject e.g. Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Data Science, Limnology, Glaciology or related field, or be close to completion, and be experienced in working with large geospatial datasets from multiple sources.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible, and the post is available for a duration of 2 years. As part of the role there will be an opportunity for the successful candidate to travel to the Amazon and gain hands-on experience of environmental monitoring.
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, email iestyn.woolway@bangor.ac.uk
Closing date for applications: 03 February 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
The “Extremes in Brazilian Amazon lakes and its implications for social-ecological systems” project addresses the urgent challenges posed by climate change on inland waters in the Amazon. The Amazon Basin is home to one of the world’s largest and most important river systems, supporting a rich diversity of life and providing for millions of people. However, this region is increasingly experiencing extreme weather events, such as severe heatwaves, droughts, and floods. These events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing significant threats to the environment and the people living there.
This project aims to study these extreme events to better understand their impact and find ways to help the Amazon and its communities cope. This project focuses on a critical and understudied scientific topic – how multiple extreme events, like heatwaves and droughts, can occur together and amplify their harmful effects. By combining historical data, satellite images, fieldwork, and computer models, we hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of these events and their impacts on both local communities and the environment.
We will work closely with Amazonian communities to identify the main challenges they face and develop practical solutions to increase their resilience to these extreme events.
The wider benefits of our research include providing valuable insights that can inform better policies and conservation strategies. By helping to protect the Amazon’s unique ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of its people, our project will contribute to the region’s long-term economic stability and environmental health. This research is vital for promoting sustainable development and ensuring the well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Purpose of the Job
This Postdoctoral Research Officer role focuses on understanding how climate change affects extreme events in the Amazon, with a particular emphasis on heatwaves and droughts. The successful candidate will lead a modelling-focused work package aimed at stimulating the hydrodynamic and thermal response of lakes in the Amazon to climate change, addressing parameters such as water level and water temperature across the Amazon basin.
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 research. Beyond core modelling responsibilities, the candidate will actively collaborate with an interdisciplinary team working on remote sensing and field-based studies to construct a comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts on Amazonian waters. 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 Postdoctoral Research Officer 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 Mamirauá Institute in Brazil.
The role will provide an opportunity for the postholder to travel to the Amazon for a short period to attend a workshop and to accompany the Brazilian partner to the field and gain hands-on experience of environmental monitoring in the Amazon.
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 lakes. 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 partners 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 climate change impacts in the Amazon.
- Project management support: Assist the principal investigator and team with project organization, 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 wellbeing 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 analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
- Experience of using hydrological/lake models (process-based and/or machine learning).
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 temperature and/or water level.
- Track record of conference presentations.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to publish in high quality scientific journals.
- Demonstrate good verbal and written skills.
- The ability to manage time effectively and to deliver detailed reports to deadlines.
Desirable
- 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.
