We are seeking a talented and creative postdoctoral researcher to work on the broad topic of ocean tracer dynamics and their impact on climate, with a particular focus on the high-latitude oceans. Candidates should have a high level of technical skill in data analysis, and a strong grasp of oceanography, climate dynamics, or a relevant physical science. The position is initially for two years, with likelihood of extension.  

Motivation: One of the ocean’s primary roles in the global climate system is in the exchange, transport, and storage of tracers such as heat, carbon, and oxygen. This process mediates the pace and pattern of global warming, as well as impacting many of the environmental consequences of climate change, such as ocean deoxygenation. Our present understanding of ocean tracer dynamics is lacking in many respects, and the high-latitude oceans in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres present a particular challenge. In these regions, the highly complex, coupled ocean-ice-atmosphere system is chronically under-sampled and difficult to faithfully represent in numerical simulations. Nonetheless, these regions are of central importance for tracer exchange between the atmosphere and ocean and may be the first to change under a warming climate. Improving our understanding of fundamental tracer dynamics – including their mechanisms of exchange, transport, and storage – will help grapple with past climate changes and make predictions of changes that may be on the horizon.  

Role: As a postdoctoral researcher in St Andrews, you will have the opportunity to explore at least one of several research questions under this broad theme, including but not limited to:

• What processes set the mean-state and temporal variability (annual to centennial) of mixed layer tracer budgets (e.g. heat, carbon) in the high-latitude oceans, and what is their impact on global climate?
• What is the role of circulation features such as transient eddies, meanders, and gyres in the vertical and horizontal transport of tracers in the ocean subsurface (for example, moving heat toward the Antarctic ice sheet)?
• What is the residence time of tracers in the ocean mixed layer, what processes impact this, and is it likely to change in a warming climate?
• What is the relationship between watermass transformation, overturning circulation, passive tracer subduction/ventilation, and heat and carbon uptake at high latitudes?

Depending on your interests and expertise, you could address these questions using a range of different approaches, including novel analysis of observational data and Earth System Models, running idealized numerical simulations or climate model experiments, or developing new theory. If appropriate for your interests, there are opportunities for your contributions to be of a predominantly technical nature (e.g. model diagnostic or analysis software development). Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the project lead (Graeme MacGilchrist) to get more specific details on research questions and approaches.  

Environment: This work is part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project that is dedicated to understanding ocean tracer dynamics, their timescales and mechanisms of variability, and their impact on global climate. You will thus join an enthusiastic team – the Ocean Dynamics research group – dedicated to addressing similar questions. Furthermore, as part of the COASt (Climate, Ocean, and Atmosphere @ St Andrews) group, you will share thoughts, ideas, and expertise with a diverse team of scientists studying past, present, and future climate. To the project you will bring unique perspective and creativity and help to forge the overall direction of the research as it progresses.  

Requirements: You will have

•   A PhD (or shortly expected to achieve) or equivalent in physical, mathematical, or Earth sciences;

•   Enthusiasm for understanding the role of the ocean in the climate system and its evolution in a warming world;

•   Strong programming skills (in Python or another appropriate language) and experience in scientific data analysis and visualization;

•      A creative approach to problem solving and an excitement to be part of, and contribute to, a dynamic research environment.  

See the “Key Duties and Responsibilities” section in Further Particulars for a full list of requirements. Further details are available on request.  

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

• Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Financial contribution to relocation
• 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/children of staff, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme and a range of wellbeing initiatives    

Informal enquiries, including for more specific discussion of projects, can be addressed to Dr Graeme MacGilchrist gam24@st-andrews.ac.uk  

Applications are particularly welcome from, 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.  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: 28 June 2024        

Please quote ref: AR2883NK      

Further Particulars: AR2883RNK FPs.docx

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Salary: £37,099 - £40,521 per annum

Start Date: As soon as possible

Fixed term: 2 years

Full-time: 36.25hrs per week