Coastal Processes Research Fellow

Based in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the School of Biological and Marine Sciences is primed to enable students to achieve their ambitions by linking research to real world problems. Students are equipped with the skills they need to make a positive impact on the sustainability of our environment and society. Our programmes are grouped into three subject areas: inspiring change for a more sustainable future with biological sciences; protecting the diversity of marine life on our planet with marine biology; and exploring, understanding and protecting our ocean systems with marine science. With many amazing ecosystems right on our doorstep, Plymouth boasts one of the highest concentrations of world-leading marine scientists in Europe and benefits from world-class research facilities such as the Marine Station and LABplus.

The University of Plymouth is inviting applications for a 13-month Research Fellow position in coastal processes. The position is associated with the UKRI-funded research project ‘SPLASH: digital approaches to predict wave hazards’. This research project is part of the wider TWINE programme on developing digital twinning capabilities. SPLASH involves a team of academics based at the University of Plymouth, project partners at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and project collaborators.

‘SPLASH: digital approaches to predict wave hazards’ sits in the frame of assessing impacts of changing environmental conditions, particularly extremes. Coastal flooding is normally caused by wave overtopping that occurs when water is discharged by waves over a coastal structure such as a breakwater. There are multiple methods to forecast coastal overtopping, and most of them demonstrate a lack of precision and large dependency to local processes. SPLASH will use unique measurements of wave overtopping alongside national monitoring networks of waves, water levels and Earth Observations data to develop an environmental digital twin pilot, and ultimately, improve operational hazard management and increase UK resilience to natural hazards.

The principal aim of SPLASH project is to ‘build a deployable coastal overtopping warning tool (SPLASH) with the vision of transforming weather and climate research and services through transformative technologies.’ Artificial Intelligence algorithms will be trained to predict spatial variability in wave overtopping hazard. You will play a fundamental role by being involved with most aspects of the project. Specifically, you will be leading the development of a digital twin of wave overtopping using machine learning in overtopping observations, model data of wind, waves and water level and beach profile geometry. You will also be responsible for the analysis of these unique data sets and contribute to the study of the influence of metocean interactions on regular overtopping asymmetries by collaborating with NOC project partners.

This is an exciting chance to be part of a progressive and cutting-edge University in a beautiful location and work within a supportive team of world-leading coastal researchers, the Coastal Processes Research Group (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/coastal-processes) .

You will have a PhD in Marine Science, Oceanography, Coastal Engineering or cognate subject, and have published from your PhD resesarch. You will have excellent numeracy skills required for analysing large data sets and experience using machine learning techniques. Numerical modelling skills are desirable. You will be someone who likes working in a team, but are also self-motivated and able to work independently.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Dr. Nieves G. Valiente by email at [email protected] .

Interviews are likely to take place in early February and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for a period of 13 months due to funding.

Flexible working options including job share will be considered.

We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities.

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

The University of Plymouth is a diverse, welcoming community where everyone makes a difference and is encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. To find out more about our inclusive community, initiatives such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter and our range of benefits / support mechanisms such as flexible working, staff networks and enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption leave please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups such as BAME/BIPOC and LGBT+.

Job Description