Postdoctoral Research Assistant - Quaternary
Sediments and Palaeoclimate
Please quote ref no: BAS 100/13
Closing date for applications: 01 Sep 2013 at 11:59pm
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs.
The British Antarctic Survey invites applications for the lead Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) on a NERC grant entitled 'Late Quaternary changes in the Westerly Winds over the Southern Ocean'.
The project aims to study changes in the strength of the Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds (SHW) and how they influence Southern Ocean circulation. This is important because wind driven changes in ocean circulation can bring old carbon stored in deep ocean reservoirs to the surface and influence whether the Southern Ocean acts as a net source or sink of atmospheric CO2.
At present there are very few studies of changes in the SHW in the Southern Ocean where the core of the SHW wind belt is located. In this project we will improve the spatial resolution of the geological data focusing on lake and peat sediment records from the west coast of selected sub-Antarctic islands. The PDRA will develop and apply a novel diatom proxy for past wind strength based on counting diatom assemblages in lake sediments and comparing these with modern diatom species distributions to develop inference models. This will be independently controlled by a range of standard sedimentological, biogeochemical and pollen based proxies analysed in a range of lake and peat sediment cores.
The PDRA will then work with the team to provide improved boundary conditions for models which simulate the impact of past changes in wind strength on the upwelling of deep ocean carbon reservoirs, and improve our understanding of the relationship between past changes in global atmospheric CO2 and temperature.
Qualifications: PhD in geological or environmental sciences involving work on sediment cores.
Duration: Fixed term appointment 3 years
Salary: Salary will be in the range of £26,450 to £29,710 per annum. We offer a generous benefits package including a final salary pension scheme, free car parking, flexible working hours and 30 days annual leave.
On-line application forms and further information are available on our website at www.antarctica.ac.uk/employment
These are also available from the Personnel Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.
Please quote reference: BAS BAS 100/13
Closing date for receipt of application forms is. 1st September 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held on. 9th September 2013
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.
