Graduate Research Assistant

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This full time post is available immediately on a 4.5 month fixed term basis.

The post

The Faculty of Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Marie-Jose Messias. This NERC funded post is available immediately to 31 August 2024. The successful applicant will support research into the development of ocean ventilation processes models based on oceanic transient tracers and tracer release experiments under the project ‘Bottom Boundary Layer Turbulence and Abyssal Recipes’ (BLT Recipes). The models will be used to constrain oceanic ventilation pathways and their time scales that allow key property transports (including heat and carbon) to be derived as well as locations of upwelling and downwelling.

The post will include:

• Conducting coding and documenting scripts to support the research activity above as appropriate to the research project;
• Running the inverse models and managing their products and related data.
• Supporting other work necessary to carry out relevant research. For example, undertaking data processing including chromatograms integrations, calibrations and quality control;
• Maintaining databases and support management and sharing of archived local and large-scale model data. Keeping accurate written and computerised records and ensuring data is stored securely and managed;
• Conducting the development of an Ocean Tracers Website for public awareness of the role of the ocean in climate and the BLT Recipes project.

This job description summarises the main duties and accountabilities of the post and is not comprehensive: the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties of similar level and responsibility.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to First Degree level in a science field or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to conduct scientific programming with optimisation and inverse modelling for ocean data using MATLAB and Unix or Linux. Experience in statistical software and data visualisation would be beneficial. A good understanding and background in physical ocean processes or fluid dynamics would be advantageous but is not essential.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information please contact Marie-Jose Messias, e-mail [email protected]  or telephone 07748 134929.