A Postdoctoral Research Assistant position is available at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) as part of a large (£3.7M) multi-institute research programme led by The National Oceanography Centre and funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The programme “Controls over Ocean Mesopelagic Interior Carbon Storage (COMICS)” seeks to understand the long-term fate of carbon in the ocean as that is key to understanding Earth’s climate.
This particular research position will focus on respiration coupled to particulate organic carbon (e.g. marine-snow and aggregates) and how that is linked to the cycling of nitrogen which ultimately controls primary production. You will work within the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at QMUL under the direct supervision of Prof. Mark Trimmer but will also collaborate with Dr. Phyllis Lam at the University of Southampton.
The field work will take place at sea during two cruises on board UK research vessels: one in late 2017, in the southern ocean, and another in mid-2018 in the south Atlantic. You will make direct, fine-scale measurements of oxygen consumption and apply a suite of 15N isotopes to characterise both nitrification and the production of N2O and N2 and all of which will be supplemented by characterisation of the abundance and expression of key functional genes. The ideal candidate for this position should have a PhD in biogeochemistry or a related field, together with significant PDRA experience of respiration and the application of 15N isotopes. Experience at sea and/or demanding field-work would be desirable, as would a modest track record of peer-reviewed papers. The project will involve extensive periods of up to 42 days at sea and the ability to be resourceful and self-reliant is essential.
This is a full-time, fixed term post available for 24 months with a likely start date of 1st June 2017. The starting salary is £36,064 per annum depending on experience and is inclusive of London allowance. Benefits include 30 days annual leave, final salary pension scheme and an interest–free season ticket loan.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.
Informal enquiries for further information are welcomed and may be made to Prof M Trimmer email
[email protected] or Tel 020 7882 3007.
For further information about the School, please see
http://www.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk.
To apply, please visit the Human Resources website on
http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk and search for reference QMUL10822
Application enquiries should be directed to
[email protected]The closing date for applications is 3rd March 2017. Interviews will be held shortly thereafter.
Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality
