Lecturer/Associate Professor in Sustainable Coastal Environments

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Achieving the Remarkable

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and is one of the UK’s top 15 research-intensive universities. Committed to excellence in all we do, we're growing and investing in our research and people to accelerate our remarkable achievements. With particular focus on four key impact themes chosen to build on the university’s existing strengths and to address the most complex societal and environmental challenges: Artificial Intelligence, sustainability and resilience, decarbonisation and engineering better health, this role is integral to our aim of making a lasting difference. 

Based in the School of Geography & Environmental Science this post focuses on rapidly evolving needs for nature-based solutions to anthropogenic environmental problems, exploration and implementation of sustainable solutions, and knowledge exchange to address sea level change/climate change-related impacts and adaptation in the coastal zone. We particularly welcome applications from scholars working to tackle largescale, globally relevant problems, using advanced computational methods (e.g. big data/machine learning/artificial intelligence/modelling/remote sensing). This appointment will strengthen the school’s existing research, teaching, and impact activities within the interdisciplinary context of landscape dynamics and environmental change and addresses the faculty theme of ‘Resilient Coastal Communities’. The post will support an exciting area of strategic development: innovative approaches to investigating coastal environmental change; and/or geospatial modelling of coastal environments for understanding, prediction and management of sustainable coastal communities.

Teaching activities will be at undergraduate and/or postgraduate-taught (MSc-level), conducted through lectures, tutorials, practical classes, seminars, and/or fieldwork. Teaching responsibilities involve co-teaching on core modules in geomorphology/GIS/environmental change and/or field courses, with scope for developing innovative specialist modules. 

We seek applicants with a PhD (or equivalent professional qualification/experience) whose research actively engages disciplinary specialities such as (but not limited to) global environmental change, coastal nature-based solutions, coastal flooding/vulnerability, coastal ecogeomorphology, spatial ecology and sediment dynamics. We welcome research that encompasses ecosystems across the gradient from tidal river reaches to the intertidal zone and which addresses societal dimensions. Methodological skills of relevance include (but are not limited to) advanced geospatial and computational methods, complex systems analysis, the use of AI/machine learning, techniques in geomorphology, laboratory experimentation and social science techniques for environmental management. 

We encourage applicants with either an emerging or established track record of research leadership and a demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary science that interfaces with SOES/NOCS and the SMMI/SRI institutes. Experience with undergraduate/postgraduate teaching is essential. 

What we can offer you

With a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days we're committed to supporting our staff and open to a flexible working approach. Giving full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly and those who have taken a career break. View our Benefits Explained website for full details.  

We aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect & equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify with one or more of the following: Black, Asian, a minority ethnic background, coming from a lower socio-economic background, LGBTQ+, a woman or having a disability as these identities are currently underrepresented in our working community. 

Discover more about our key impact themes and the opportunities on offer by visiting our campaign site

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