Postdoctoral position in Quantitative Marine Science at the
University of Tasmania: Physical Oceanography
The University of Tasmania is calling for expressions of interest for a
postdoctoral position, available immediately for a term of up to three years, in
the field of physical oceanography. The positions are advertised at two levels,
Postdoctoral or Research Fellow (entry level research scientist), but only one
appointment will be made. The appointment level will be selected on research
experience.
The appointee will work within the large-scale physical oceanography
programs at the University of Tasmania and the CSIRO Wealth from Oceans
Flagship Program. The programs are focussed on understanding the role of
oceans in the global climate system using a range of methods, including
Research Vessel based process studies, diagnostic studies of historical data
and modelling. We are searching for a sea going oceanographer with an
excellent background in dynamical oceanography. The appointee will have
considerable independence in developing a research plan that enhances or
fills gaps in the ongoing research programs. The research can involve using
both observations and the output from models to progress the basic
understanding of interannual to decadal variability of ocean processes that
influence the climate of Australia. In the long term, the successful applicant
might contribute to the design of long term observing systems for the region,
based on the overview and understanding of physical processes in the region.
Key contacts: Dr Gary Meyers (CSIRO), Prof Richard Coleman (UTAS)
Some specific projects include;
Investigating climate change and climate variability in the Southern
Ocean
Comparisons of past measurements of temperature and salinity with recent
measurements from the World Ocean Circulation Experiment have shown that
key Antarctic and Southern Ocean water masses have changed since the
1960's. These geographically limited analyses need to be extended over the
whole Southern Ocean and extended to other tracers, including oxygen.
It is envisaged that quality controlled hydrographic databases from the 1950's
through to 2000 (including the World Ocean Circulation Experiment and
Australian Ships) would be used with measurements from PALACE Floats,
from prior to the ARGO and during the ARGO programs, to combine together
to form a whole of the Southern Ocean analysis. Altimeter results from the
TOPEX/POSEIDON and JASON missions could also be used.
The types of questions that would be addressed are:
 which Antarctic and Southern Ocean water masses are changing?
 how much have the volumes of these key water masses changed?







what do these changes mean in terms of subduction rates?
what do these changes mean in terms of changes in atmospheric forcing?
what do these changes imply for large scale circulation?
Are changes in oxygen concentration due to circulation changes or biogeocheical cycles
what doe these changes imply for sea-level change?
are these changes attributable to climate change?
are they evidence for changes in meridional overturning circulation?
Key contacts: Assoc. Prof Nathan Bindoff (UTAS), Dr John Church (CSIRO),
Dr Stephen Rintoul (CSIRO)
Large Scale Circulation of the Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is the key pathway for the thermohaline circulation
between the major ocean basins. The lower and upper limbs of the
overturning circulation are key aspects of this large-scale circulation. Using
the available trans-oceanic sections from Australian Ships in the Southern
Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, augmented with World Ocean Circulation
Experiment sections, develop a Southern Ocean Circulation field.
The methods that could be used include inverse, adjoint or even classical
descriptive methods.
The types of questions that would be addressed are:
 the large scale transport of mass of key water masses
 estimates of the strength of the overturning circulation
 estimates of rates of production of Antarctic Bottom Waters, Antarctic
Intermediate Water and Sub-Antarctic Mode Waters
 Inter-ocean exchanges of key water masses
 estimates of transports of freshwater, heat and other bio-geochemically
important tracers
Key contacts: Dr Steve Rintoul (CSIRO), Dr John Church (CSIRO), Assoc.
Prof. Nathan Bindoff (UTAS)
The successful applicant would work with a motivated team at the University
of Tasmania and CSIRO Marine Research, but there are opportunities for
interaction with a broad base of expertise in Hobart. In developing their
application, applicants are encouraged to liaise with marine scientists at the
University of Tasmania and CSIRO Marine Research as appropriate.
Applicants should forward a covering letter, a Curriculum Vitae including the
names and contact details of two referees, and a two-three page outline of the
proposed work, clearly summarising the conceptual framework, key aims,
significance and work plan.
Enquiries and applications should be directed to Prof Richard Coleman:
telephone 61-(0)3-6226 2108; e-mail Richard.Coleman@utas.edu.au.
Applications are due August 31st 2004.