Senior Modelling Scientist

PML hosts one of the largest and most active marine system modelling groups in the world (https://www.pml.ac.uk/science/Marine-Systems-Modelling). Our mission is to promote greater fundamental understanding of marine systems by developing and applying state-of-the-art computational models. These models simulate marine system functioning and its response to local and global pressures. We use this understanding to promote sustainable use of marine ecosystems, addressing many of the UN sustainable development goals and contributing to IPCC reporting. We take an “ecosystem” approach, integrating oceanography, marine physics, chemistry, biology, and their interactions across the water column, sediments and land and atmospheric interfaces. We integrate models with data from laboratory experiments, in situ and remotely sensed marine observations to test hypotheses, validate simulations, sustain monitoring, deliver long-term (re)analysis of ocean biogeochemistry, and improve forecasts. Our whole systems approach provides an unrivalled ability to understand the marine system and improve predictions of change in the ocean state, ecological functioning, and ecosystem services. An important focus of PML’s Earth Observation (EO) work is strategic research conducted through the National Centre of Earth Observation (NCEO) where PML scientists play an active, long-term role in environmental science using satellite data (www.nceo.ac.uk).

Senior Modelling Scientist

We are looking for an experienced senior scientist motivated to develop a leading role within our existing team, who will focus on developing strategies, systems, and applications of data assimilation with coupled biogeochemical-hydrodynamic models in a variety of marine systems across the globe. In this role, the successful candidate will be an integral part of the NCEO, providing a focal point for EO data assimilation into biogeochemical models, particularly with respect to capturing marine carbon behaviour and flux intensities. The candidate will be able to influence the national direction of cross-disciplinary use of modelling techniques through activities in the National Partnership for Ocean Prediction, which include collaborations with other institutes, leading Universities, and the UK Met Office. We engage in both short-term operational forecasting and climate scale reanalysis and projections and cover a variety of topics including biogeochemical fluxes, trophic networks, marine management, and sustainability. The position is suitable for candidates with a track record in similar work and ideal for candidates seeking to build up their research portfolio and team leadership.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in data assimilation theory and application with marine ecosystem models and biogeochemical observations from space and/or in situ platforms, ideally with an interest in ocean carbon.
• Ability to lead or make significant contributions to funding proposals
• Confidence with both ensemble and variational methods is preferable (but not necessary)
• Good track record of translating research into impactful publications
• Evidence of a well-developed collaborative network at national and/or international levels
• Proven expertise in setting-up/running/analysing 3D coupled biogeochemical models (NEMO/ERSEM or similar desirable)
• Proficiency in HPC usage, FORTRAN coding, parallel computing, large data set processing
• Interest in new frontiers of data-model integration (e.g. machine learning, digital twins)
• Proven ability to manage self and others, including mentoring Early Career Researchers and students (additional management training is available)

PML has attained Athena SWAN Bronze level accreditation and is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture where we can all succeed based on our merit. To support staff from all backgrounds, we offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and staff engagement forums. Our full range of benefits can be viewed here: https://www.pml.ac.uk/Working-with-us/Employee-benefits