Post-Doctoral Research Associate – AR3041SB

We are looking for a talented Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work with Dr Daphné Lemasquerier on a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project entitled “Fluid Dynamics of Deep Interiors in the Outer Solar System”.  The PDRA will work on icy moon ocean dynamics using idealised numerical models and theory.

 

Icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europa and Enceladus, likely host global oceans beneath their ice crusts. Constraining the ocean circulation is crucial to understand heat and material exchanges between rocky cores and ice shells. Exchange processes influence the long term geophysical evolution of satellites as well as their potential for harbouring extraterrestrial forms of life. Since no direct observations of subsurface oceans are available, the ocean dynamics is still very poorly constrained, and modelling the interaction of the multiple physical processes at play (turbulence, rotation, buoyancy, phase change, topography) is a tremendous challenge for fluid dynamicists. Europa Clipper (NASA) and JUICE (ESA) will both arrive at the Jovian system in the 2030s with a focus on its icy moons. Hence, it is particularly timely and crucial to improve our models of the flows in icy moon oceans to target strategic observables and help interpret future observations.

 

Using idealized direct numerical simulations, the goal of the project is to explore how thermal convection interacts with a phase change boundary in the presence of lateral heterogeneities in heating and/or stably stratified layers. The post-holder will perform a systematic study to deeply improve our physical understanding of feedback effects on buoyancy-driven flows, for instance due to the topography of the ice-ocean boundary. Based on the gained understanding, the final goal is to assess the relevance of these feedback effects for icy moon oceans  and predict their potential signature on observables. Depending on the interests and creativity of the candidate, there may be scope to adapt the research direction of the project as it progresses.

 

The post-doctoral researcher will join an exciting emerging team led by Dr Daphné Lemasquerier as part of the FLF project, alongside another PDRA and three PhD students being hired. The successful applicant will more broadly join the Vortex Dynamics (Fluid Dynamics) group in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of St Andrews. Significant budget will be available for international travel and computing resources. Career development opportunities will be proposed to the successful applicant, including opportunities to visit and collaborate with researchers from leading universities, build their academic profile and network, publish independent work, and develop their skills.

 

We welcome applications from candidates who hold, or will hold before starting the position, a PhD in fluid dynamics or a cognate discipline. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how their research background would feed into the project. Expertise and/or strong interest in numerical modelling and geophysical or astrophysical fluid dynamics will be an advantage.

 

The post is available for 24 months starting as soon as possible.

 

Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be addressed to Dr Daphné Lemasquerier, email: d.lemasquerier@st-andrews.ac.uk.

 

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

  • Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
  • Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
  • A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
  • Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
  • Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
  • Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
  • A range of wellbeing initiatives including membership of Peppy, a health application that connects staff to expert practitioners and personalized support on health matters

 

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.  

 

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter and Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/

 

Closing Date:  25 September 2024

 

  

Please quote ref:  AR3041SB                  

 

 

Further Particulars - AR3041SB FP's.doc

 

 

 

School of Mathematics and Statistics

 Salary: £37,099 - £40,521 per annum

Start Date: As soon as possible

Fixed term for 2 years

Post-Doctoral Research Associate – AR3041SB