Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Vacancy Number:
Job Description
School/Department:
School of Ocean and Earth Science
Post Title:
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Career Pathway and Level:
ERE
TAE
MSA
CAO
4
ERE Category
Academic Posts
Academic
Research
Non-Academic Posts
Teaching
Enterprise
Education
Development
x
Post Responsible to (and
Level):
Dr. Robert Marsh (Level 6), Dr. Toby Tyrrell (Level 6)
Posts Responsible for (and
Level):
Research (NERC-funded)
Job Purpose:
To conduct research in support of the NERC-funded “Descent into the Icehouse” project, NERC Ref:
NE/I005595/1, which has the aim of simulating and understanding the transient behaviour of the earth
system during the early Cenozoic era. The job involves some earth system model development, specifically
setting up Earth System Model experiments within the Jmodels (box model) and GENIE (intermediate
complexity model) frameworks, ultimately to examine the influence on deep oceanic carbon storage of
changing patterns of ocean circulation (as the result of gateway reorganizations), changing thermal
structure, and changing phytoplankton community structure.
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
% Time
1. Development of the Jmodels framework, in preparation for model experiments
5
2. Development of the GENIE Earth System Modelling framework, in preparation for model
experiments
5
3. Scoping the required parameters and boundary conditions for GENIE, based on
published simulations with more complex (GCM) climate models
5
4. Design and execution of experiments with box models of biogeochemical cycles, to
test a range of hypotheses regarding feedbacks and thresholds in the Cenozoic earth
system
30
5. Design and execution of sensitivity experiments with GENIE models: equilibrium and
transient simulations, to explore biogeochemical feedbacks and thresholds in the
Cenozoic earth system, as motivated by box model experiments
20
6. Design and execution of sensitivity experiments with GENIE models: equilibrium
simulations to explore biogeochemical consequences of gateway closures in the
Cenozoic earth system
10
7. Lead and contribute to research outputs, comprising poster and oral presentations
20
(through conference attendance) and peer-reviewed papers.
8. Collaborate with PIs and PDRAs throughout the project, in particular at the University
of Bristol, where General Circulation Model experiments will be undertaken, to design
simpler model experiments informed by GCM data analysis and to provide simpler
model results in support of GCM data interpretation
5
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)
Collaboration with Co-Is and PDRAs at other institutes (University of Bristol, Cardiff University).
Special Requirements:
To
To
To
To
understand the underlying principles, methods, and caveats involved in earth system modelling.
be able to undertake compute-intensive analysis in suitable computing environments.
competently manage a wide range of model datasets, in support of publications.
attend national and international conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and
experience in Earth Science, Physical Science,
Mathematics, Computing Science or Engineering
Application,
references

PhD in the area of Climate Science, Earth System
Science, or Biogeochemical Cycles

Application,
interview
Knowledge of Earth System models and/or
relevant observations (palaeodata, proxies)

Application,
interview
Track record of published research
Experience of analysing data sets, using a range
of statistics or diagnostic tools
Experience of at least one necessary
programming language (e.g., Fortran, Matlab,
Ferret)

Application

Application,
interview

Application,
interview
Planning and Organising:
Ability to work unsupervised for extended
periods (days), in collaboration with colleagues at
other institutes.
Proactive time management and meeting
deadlines.


Application,
references,
interview
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Able to identify broad trends to assess deeprooted and complex issues

Able to apply originality in modifying existing
approaches to solve problems

Application,
references,
interview
Management and Teamwork:
Able to monitor and manage local and remote
computing resources

Team working in a local and distributed project

Communicating and Influencing:
Communicate new and complex information
effectively, both verbally and in writing, engaging
the interest and enthusiasm of the target
audience

Track record of presenting research results at
group meetings and conferences

Able to persuade and influence at all levels in
order to foster and maintain relationships

Able to resolve tensions/difficulties as they arise

Able to provide expert guidance to colleagues in
own team, other work areas and institutions to
develop understanding and resolve complex
problems

Application,
references,
interview
Application,
references,
interview
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Compliance relevant Health & Safety issues

Interview

Application,
interview
Special Requirements:
Able to attend national and international
conferences to present research results
Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
School/Department:
Ocean and Earth Science
Post Title:
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Post Number:
tba
Please tick one of the following statements:

This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (e.g. fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids
Possible Contact with patients in a clinical/home setting
Noise (greater than 80 dba- 8 hrs twa)
Exposure to hazardous substances (e.g. solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards, animals). Specify …………………………………………..
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation.
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
Driving university vehicles (e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless a specific clinical necessity)
Vibrating tools (e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
Physical Abilities
Load manual handling.
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing
Repetitive Lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
Shift work/night work/on call duties
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O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly (more
than 2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for this
position.
C
FOR SCHOOL/SERVICE USE ONLY
Which post does this job report to
Is this post a Line Manager?
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Resource Link Post Number
HN00004221
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