Working at BAS is rewarding. Our skilled science, operational and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the polar regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through our extensive logistic capability and know how, BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation.
Purpose:
We are looking for a post-doctoral physical scientist in the field of ocean modelling to investigate the role of large-scale environmental variability versus local drivers for oceanographic processes in the South Orkney Islands region, Southern Ocean, with a focus on the canyons of the northwestern shelf. The postholder will conduct high-resolution ocean-sea ice simulations of the northwest South Orkney Plateau to explore the dominant drivers of oceanographic variability. In collaboration with physical oceanographers, ocean modellers, and krill ecologists at BAS, the Institute of Marine Research (Tromsø, Norway) and NORCE (Bergen, Norway), the postholder will undertake targeted analyses and Lagrangian modelling (particle tracking), contributing to an assessment of the role of ocean circulation in krill distribution in the region.
This work forms part of a collaborative project, K-POD (Krill between currents and predators: connecting climate, ocean and ecosystem dynamics in the South Orkney Islands region), which aims to further our understanding of the impact of climate drivers on ocean dynamics in the South Orkney Islands region and the implications for Antarctic krill distribution variability in this marine mammal and krill fishing hotspot.
Duties:
- Develop a very high-resolution (~100 m) 3D ocean-sea ice model of the northwest South Orkney Plateau using the NEMO-SI3 framework, and verify the model by comparison with existing in-situ data.
- Conduct a series of process tests and multi-year simulations with the validated model to explore the relative roles of large-scale atmospheric, oceanic and cryospheric drivers and small-scale topographic interactions for circulation within the canyons of the northwest South Orkney Plateau.
- Perform targeted model analyses and off-line Lagrangian modelling (particle tracking) to quantify key oceanographic measures for an assessment of the role of ocean circulation in krill distribution in the region.
- Collaborate closely with physical oceanographers, krill ecologists, and ocean and biophysical modellers at BAS, the Institute for Marine Research (Tromsø, Norway), and the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE).
- Present model developments and scientific results in the peer-reviewed literature and at conferences.
Qualifications
Essential:
- First degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience
Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Experience running ocean models or geophysical fluid dynamics models
- Experience in the numerical solution of partial differential equations
- Experience with Linux
- Experience with compiled parallel code (e.g. Fortran)
- Programming experience (e.g. Matlab or Python)
- Proficient in English language
- Track record of publication in high-quality journals
- Able to set own priorities and manage time effectively
- Able to work effectively as part of a team
Desirable:
- Background in physical oceanography
- Experience of NEMO-SI3 ocean-sea ice model
- Track record of presentation at scientific conferences
- Knowledge of Antarctic oceanography
Salary range: £42,688 – £46,957 Per Annum
Application deadline: December 2, 2025
