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Job Description - Postdoctoral Research Associate in Palaeoceanography (24002234)
Department of Geography
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 30 months
Working Arrangements: TBC
Closing Date
14-Jan-2025, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
The Department of Geography at Durham seeks to appoint two full-time Post-Doctoral Research Associates in Palaeoceanography to join the HORIZON EUROPE funded project “Past to Future: towards fully paleo-informed future climate projections (P2F)”. Both posts are available for 30 months with Post 1 focusing on sea surface temperature and Post 2 on sea ice.
The Role
Both PDRAs will be contributing to a large research project (“P2F”) where data and modelling are used in tandem: we seek candidates who have interests which could include proxy ocean temperature reconstructions, sea ice reconstructions, data-model comparison and integration, and climate changes which may vary from centennial-millennial-orbital timescales during the last ~4 million years.
The overall aim of Post 1 “sea surface temperature” PDRA will be to collate and generate high time resolution data of ocean temperature changes. The primary target time intervals are the last glacial cycle (the last ~130,000 years) and the mid Pliocene warm period (~3.0-3.5 million years ago).
The overall aim of Post 2 “sea ice” PDRA will be to collate existing data on Arctic and Antarctic sea-ice extent spanning the last glacial cycle (the last ~130,000 years) and the mid Pliocene warm period (~3.0-3.5 million years ago).
Responsibilities
* To review and collate published data reconstructing sea ice or ocean temperatures and disseminating to the wider project team in appropriate formats (e.g. spreadsheets, maps).
* To prepare and analyse samples using established organic geochemistry techniques (extraction, separation, derivatisation; analysis by GC / GCMS / GCIRMS).
* To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
* To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
* To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
* To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
* To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
* To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
* To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
* To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
* To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
* To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
* To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
* To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
* To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
* To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* A good first degree in physical geography, earth sciences, or a physical science.
* A PhD (or be close to submission) in physical geography, earth sciences or a related subject.
Experience
* Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
* Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
* Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national/international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
Skills
* Demonstrable ability to report, interrogate and interpret geochemical data sets (e.g. micropaleontology, geochemistry).
* Experience in the practical preparation and analysis of samples using organic geochemistry techniques, for reconstructing past environments (e.g. by GC, GCMS).
* Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
* Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Erin McClymont (erin.mcclymont@durham.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below.
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.
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