Post Doctoral Research Associate - Grade 7

The Problem: Plankton growth drives marine ecosystems and forms sinking particles which store carbon in the ocean, mitigating the effects of climate change. In areas where access to nitrogen limits plankton growth, nitrogen fixing organisms increase production by making organic nitrogen directly from nitrogen gas. These organisms are important for regulating production in the ocean, but many questions about their traits remain unanswered. Specifically, we seek to understand what leads to the co-existence of the four main photosynthetic nitrogen fixing groups: *Crocosphaera*, *Trichodesmium*, UCYN-A, and symbiotic Diatom-Diazotroph Associations. We have a set of theoretical predictions for how these organisms interact with one another and their environment and will use computational models to test them against observed patterns of nitrogen fixation in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

We are looking to develop and test new theory for how and why nitrogen fixers operate in the ocean.

The Role

: We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher with computational modelling skills and an interest in understanding plankton distributions in the ocean. You will first design and implement parameterizations of nitrogen fixing plankton and test whether they can explain the main, unexplained, features of nitrogen fixation in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre north of Hawaii. New ideas and directions will be encouraged. Additionally, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of an international collaboration, the Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology

(simonsfoundation.org).

In addition to interacting with the vibrant community of oceanographers at the University of Liverpool, the candidate will be expected to interact with collaborators at institutions like the University of Bristol, MIT, and the University of Hawaii.

This post is ideally suited to someone with a computational skillset and an interest in how life works in the sea.

There are dedicated funds for computer equipment, and travel to support you in your scientific work.

Any applicants who are still awaiting their PhD to be awarded should be aware that if successful, they will be appointed at grade 6, spine point 30.  Upon written confirmation that they have been successful in being awarded their PhD, they will be moved onto grade 7, spine point 31 from the date of their award.

The post is available on a fixed term basis until January 2027.  

The University has the right to close the vacancy early if it is deemed that there have been enough applications received