Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to join the UKRI-funded COSSMoSS project, focusing on submesoscale ocean currents—flows spanning tens of metres to kilometres that influence global ocean mixing, heat and nutrient distribution, and climate dynamics. Despite their importance, these currents remain poorly understood due to their intermediate scale and intermittent nature.

The role will primarily investigate the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence, a key site where subtropical and polar waters meet off Argentina. This region is a global hotspot for submesoscale activity, and understanding the dynamics here is critical for predicting ocean energy transfer and biogeochemical processes.

You will work with a cutting-edge observational dataset from a January 2025 expedition that used seismic oceanography—similar to bat echolocation—to capture water column structures at unprecedented resolution. Data were gathered using sound pulses, underwater robotics, drifters, floats, and moored instruments. Your focus will be on analyzing these data to assess submesoscale initiation, prevalence, and their role in energy budgets, mixing, and water mass transformation. You will collaborate with ocean modellers using advanced simulations to interpret and validate observations via data assimilation.

There will be opportunities to spend time with project partners at UCLA (Prof. James McWilliams) and attend training, conferences, and meetings. Mentorship in ocean simulations, submesoscale dynamics, and data analysis will be provided.

About you

You must hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field and show strong quantitative skills, proficiency in coding (e.g. Python or MATLAB), and experience handling large datasets. Knowledge in at least one of the following is essential: ocean interior dynamics, turbulence, fluid dynamics, model interpretation, acoustic data, or field data processing. Additional desirable experience includes: bio-physical interactions, fieldwork, evidence of working at sea publications, presentations, and communication skills. We value creativity, independence, and a collaborative mindset.

We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, creative, independent and with the ambition to learn new skills and knowledge. You will work with a highly supportive team, alongside the University of California, Los Angeles, US spans collaborators in multiple Universities across the world.  As such, you will actively engage with the wider team and be open to sharing knowledge with others.

As a postdoctoral research associate at Exeter University, you will be expected to:

• develop research objectives and projects
• lead and contribute to high-quality peer-reviewed publications and present at conferences and other events.
• work collaboratively, share knowledge and act as team leader as required
• contribute to the activities of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and the highly active marine research groups at the University of Exeter (e.g. Exeter Marine)
• possibly supervise MSc students in a related field, or assist in undergraduate teaching activities in Marine Science

As a postdoctoral research fellow at Exeter University you will be a nationally recognised authority in oceanography, ocean modelling, or a closely related field. Furthermore, in addition to the above, you may be expected to:

• develop research proposals
• lead and contribute to high-quality peer-reviewed publications and present at conferences and other events.
• supervise the work of others
• identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds
• possibly supervise PhD students in a related field

Please note that there is a different job description dependent on whether you are employed as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade E) or a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Grade F).

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