PDRA Earth System Modeller

Duration: Fixed Term Appointment - 30 Months

Benefits: We offer generous benefits

Team: Ice Dynamics and Palaeclimate

Location: BAS Cambridge

Job Profile:  Job Profile document

Description

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for a PDRA in Earth System Modeller to join our Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate team.  BAS delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe!

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 www.ukri.org

As a valued member of our team, you’ll be eligible for the following benefits:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days
• Excellent civil service pension (with 26% or more employer contribution, depending on your band)
• 24 hours/365 days access to employee assistance programme (EAP – including support with physical, mental, social, health and financial issues)
• Flexible and family friendly working opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to discounted shopping on a range of retail, leisure and lifestyle categories and much more.

You’ll be joining our Ice Dynamics and Palaeoclimate team to help us to deliver new insights in the past changes in the carbon cycle that can be used to inform future climate projections. Specifically, you will be working closely with the ice core gas geochemistry lab led by Dr. Thomas Bauska (https://www.bas.ac.uk/profile/thausk/).

Within the role, there will be an opportunity to develop specific skills in earth system modelling and ice core data interpretation, along with  many broader career develop opportunities such as grant writing, public engagement and networking.

You’ll be joining a world-leading interdisciplinary research organisation, that is committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support, you need to thrive at BAS.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Install and test an earth system model of intermediate complexity on the BAS HPC
• Perform ensemble experiments of orbital-scale variability using a simple, efficient earth system model (i.e. with an energy balance atmospheric) and focus on the last glacial cycle. Within this large ensemble perform a smaller subset of “snapshot” experiments using a dynamic atmosphere
• Analyse the ensemble by comparing to ice core data of atmospheric CO₂ and its isotopes

Current projects the team are working on include: the hunt for the oldest ice core record with  Beyond EPICA project (https://www.beyondepica.eu/en/); understanding Holocene carbon cycle dynamics with the SIWHA project (https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/siwha/) and several model-focused projects led by colleagues Dr. Louise Sime and Dr. Xu Zhang.

For the role of PDRA Earth System Modeller we are looking for somebody who:

• PhD in Earth Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related Natural Science field
• Experience working with paleoclimate datasets and running climate/carbon cycle models
• Experience working independently on a research project
• Comfortable with math, physics and chemistry that are relevant to Earth System Modelling

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to hear from you.  Apply now via the ‘Apply’ button above.

What experiences can we offer you?

At BAS we believe everyone plays a vital role, is unique and valued, therefore, we embrace diversity as well as equality of opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming working environment where everyone’s unique perspectives are valued.

Different perspectives and collaborative working help us achieve our best work and come together to form a high performing team which makes positive changes in the business. That’s the power of every individual.  Our cultural values are built on mutual respect, inclusion, commitment and excellence.

If you are looking for an opportunity to work with world class and amazing people in one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you.