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Research Fellow in Palaeoclimate Reconstruction and Data Analysis

Palaeoenvironment Laboratory (PLUS)

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £34,980 to £40,521
Full Time Fixed Term
Closing Date:  Wednesday 17 July 2024
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2774824WR

The School of Geography and Environmental Science seeks to appoint a Research Fellow to work on a UKRI-funded project led by Dr Zoë Thomas, entitled “The View from the South: New approaches for understanding mechanisms and impacts of climate tipping points”. This project will pioneer the development of new proxies of wind strength and temperature records from the South Atlantic, using the latest technologies and interdisciplinary techniques.

The project aims to identify the relationships between southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation shifts and global climate tipping points. The Research Fellow will work on several tasks: (1) undertake laboratory work to generate new palaeoclimate records from South Atlantic peat sediments, (2) assemble and chronologically align datasets from the Atlantic Basin, and (3) undertake statistical and time series analysis to explore the latitudinal propagation of climate signals. 

The post holder will have the opportunity, subject to starting date and travel restrictions, to undertake fieldwork in the South Atlantic during the post tenure. 

The post is tenable from 1st October 2024 and is fixed term for 3.5 years. 

The post will be based at the University of Southampton. You will be working with Dr Zoë Thomas in the School of Geography and Environmental Science, Dr Gordon Inglis in the School of Ocean and Earth Science, and a team of PhD students, postdocs and other collaborators based in the UK and overseas. The team is friendly, collaborative, and inclusive and any candidate will be welcomed as an equal member of the community.

Job criteria:

1. PhD or equivalent professional qualification and experience in palaeoclimate reconstruction from sediment archives.
2. Detailed understanding and knowledge of the reconstruction of palaeoclimate from Quaternary sedimentary deposits using biomarkers and other multiple proxies.
3. Knowledge and experience of palaeoclimate laboratory methods for reconstructing climate from sediment cores using organic geochemistry.
4. Evidence of experience and aptitude in statistical methods for time series analysis and data syntheses methods.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills and time management skills

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world Universities and one of the UK’s top 10 research-intensive universities. We have an international reputation for research, teaching and enterprise activities. The School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton is committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, and we aim to be proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. We are a signatory to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and can provide opportunities for career development and mentoring.

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For further enquiries please contact Dr Zoë Thomas (z.thomas@soton.ac.uk). 

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

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