Postdoctoral Research Fellow

This NERC funded, full time post is available from 7 October 2024 on a fixed term basis until 31 May 2026 (with possibility of extension to 6 October 2026, subject to approval)

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in the TropMethane project that investigate controls of methane emissions from tropical wetlands and their impacts on the global climate by combining field experiments and modelling. The project is a collaboration between the University of Exeter, the University of Nottingham and the Met Office. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering the modelling component of the project focusing on improving the representation of processes that control CH₄ emissions in a land surface model.

The post will include using data on CH₄ emissions and site conditions generated in the project and from the literature to develop and validate a land surface model (JULES) in collaboration with colleagues. The duties will include planning and conducting research into the peatland physical and biological properties of tropical peatlands using models as required by the grant objectives, under the overall supervision of Professor Richard Betts at the University of Exeter and Dr Eleanor Burke at the Met Office.

This includes:

• (i) day-to-day responsibility to conduct and satisfactory progress the research, including interaction with and training of local and UK partners.
• (ii) conduct to model development and integration with the field teams
• (iii) keep meticulous records, analyse and interpret data, prepare synthetic reports and bring insights to the research as it develops and progresses.
• (iv) communicate and interact with external collaborators on the project at the University of Nottingham, British Geological Survey, the Met Office and the Smithsonian Research Institute to ensure effective integration between experimental and modelling components of the programme.

To significantly contribute to the writing up of research papers, reports and presentation of research findings at high level at national and international meetings to disseminate the findings, maintain Institute and University recognition and meet the requirements of the funders.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will have strong expertise in coding and applying environmental models and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role. 

Further information

For further information please contact Professor Richard Betts (richard.betts@metoffice.gov.uk) or Dr Eleanor Burke (eleanor.burke@metoffice.gov.uk)

Interviews are expected to take place in the first week of October.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

Advert information