Job Description

Role:

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Ocean Alkalinity Cycling

Grade and Salary:

Grade 7, 37,694 - 47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:

1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday

Holiday Entitlement:

33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

The successful candidate will be part of the Ocean Carbon-And-Nutrient-Dynamics (OceanCANDY) research group at the Lyell Centre, working on the Horizon Europe and UKRI (Innovate UK) funded project aEUR~OceanICU' (Ocean-Improving Carbon Understanding; https://ocean-icu.eu ). The OceanICU project aims to produce new data, information and understanding of the role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle. This position is in support of OceanICU work on the role of the carbonate pump in regulating ocean alkalinity, specifically exploring the relative roles of different drivers (e.g., physical, biological) and processes (e.g., calcification, dissolution) on oceanic alkalinity. The candidate will work in collaboration with researchers on the OceanICU project (e.g., University of Exeter, UK, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environment, Paris) as well as researchers involved in the aEUR~Coccolithophore controls on ocean alkalinity' (CHALKY) project examining how mortality pathways impact ocean alkalinity. The candidate will explore how alkalinity cycling is represented in biogeochemical models and the relative influence of the different drivers and processes.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:


Manipulate biogeochemical models and how they represent the processes involved in alkalinity cycling. Undertake collaboration with the partner organizations. Write and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals that highlight findings from the research, and present research findings at conferences and workshops.
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all of the key duties and responsibilities.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential


PhD degree (or near completion) in a relevant field (such as chemical oceanography, marine sciences).
Excellent understanding of the ocean's carbonate pump, alkalinity cycling and carbon biogeochemistry. Experience developing/using various types of models (for example boxmodels, global circulation models, earth system models) and/or model intercomparison and evaluation. Good programming skills in Python or equivalent and writing scripts. Experience with data mining model output (e.g., CMIP or equivalent). Experience in the application of advanced statistical methods/tools to analyze and visualize model data. Track record of peer-reviewed published work and conference presentations as appropriate for career stage. Ability and desire to work in a closely interacting team, but also independently as required by the specific tasks involved in delivering the work. Good communication and scientific writing skills; proficiency in English. Desirable


Field and/or experimental experience in the context of understanding the challenges and limitations of observational data when working with idealized models. Experience of working internationally and interacting in a multidisciplinary framework, as could be expected within a large international project such as OceanICU. An interest in expanding experience of diverse approaches to parameterize and explore biogeochemical processes (e.g., machine learning).

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on

Sunday 7th December 2025.

Interviews for this role are likely to take place in the New Year.

Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.


We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.


Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.


Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .


Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.


Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.