Postdoctoral Research Associate on the Seafloor Monitoring of Sediment Density Flows

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department was ranked joint first for research quality among UK geography departments in REF2021 and third for research power. With 54% of work assessed as being in the highest category, it produced the largest number of world-leading (4*) publications in the country. The most recent QS rankings for Geography placed Durham 7th overall in the world, its 5th year in the top ten, and 1st for citations in the discipline. The department is recurrently ranked in the top handful of programmes in the UK by various league tables; in 2016, we were ranked 2nd in the Times Good University Guide and 3rd in both the Complete University Guide and the Guardian University Guide.

The Department of Geography at Durham University seeks to appoint a full-time Grade 7 research associate to work with Dr Matthieu Cartigny on two projects aimed at monitoring sediment density flows on the seafloor. The first project aims at monitoring the transition of submarine landslides into turbidity currents on the Homathko Delta (BC, Canada). The second project aims to monitor the activity of sediment density flows on a sediment wave field (offshore Morocco).

The majority of the work will be done on the first project. In August and September 2022 three small research vessels will be deployed in Canada to monitor how a submarine landslide on the lip of a river delta transforms into a turbidity current. A first vessel is moored close to the delta lip to monitor the seafloor with a sector scanning multibeam, the second vessel will be used to produce daily maps of the delta and the third vessel will be used for sediment sampling, setting up a terrestrial network of seismometers and deploying several flow monitoring moorings downstream of the delta. The main aim of this post is to integrate the different types of data collected and to produce a reconstruction that for the first time captures how a submarine landslide transforms into a turbidity current. This project is funded by the Royal Society and will be executed in close collaboration with the University of Calgary and the Canadian Geological Survey.

In addition to the work on the project above, the postholder is also expected to prepare and possibly join a research cruise offshore Morocco. The main aim of this project is to constrain the processes that initiate and maintain sediment waves on the seafloor. During this research cruise (Dec 2022 - mid Jan 2023) a sediment wave field will be mapped, the water column will be monitored with seismic equipment and two flow monitoring mooring will be deployed. The postholder is expected to contribute to the preparation of this research cruise and if possible join the research cruise to head up the deployment of the moorings. During the final months of the post the postholder will work towards an overview of the data collected. This project is funded as part of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft project and will be in close collaboration with the University of Kiel and Geomar.

Responsibilities  :

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.   
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research team.
• To prepare an overview of the data collected in these projects .

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

For informal enquiries please contact  Dr Matthieu Cartigny ([email protected]).    All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/ . As part of the application process, you should provide details of 2 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University  .

• A CV
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;

The assessment for the post will include an interview and a short presentation on prior research experience and outcomes. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview and assessment in late summer of 2022.

• A good first degree in  a relevant science or engineering subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in  a relevant science or engineering subject.

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national and international  conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Demonstrable experience of working with bathymetric and acoustic data.
• Demonstrable experience of working with sedimentary and hydraulic data of sediment density flows.
• Demonstrable experience with quantitative analysis and manipulation of large datasets.

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Ability to manage time effectively and to exercise judgment and initiative in carrying out research tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to travel outside the UK for fieldwork and to attend international conferences and meetings.

• Research experience on submarine sediment density flows and their deposits.
• Experience of integrating bathymetric, sedimentary and hydraulic data.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information to non-specialist project partners and other audiences.
• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
• Experience  of working in a cross-disciplinary team.

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research. 
• Demonstrable ability in numerical analysis.