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Research Fellow “Nutrient Physiology of Symbiotic Corals”

School of Ocean and Earth Science

Location:  National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary:   £30,942 to £31,866
Full Time Fixed Term (2 Years)
Closing Date:  Monday 20 January 2020
Interview Date:   Wednesday 18 March 2020
Reference:  1219919HN

Applications are invited for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to work on the nutrient physiology of symbiotic reef corals, to understand how they thrive in ‘oceanic deserts’ and how they will respond to human-driven climate change. You will be based at the Coral Reef Laboratory at the Waterfront Campus of the University of Southampton, based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). The Waterfront Campus of the University of Southampton together with the NOCS represents one of the largest and most successful marine science institutions in the world.  

We also welcome expressions of interest from early career researchers who either hold or seek to apply for independent research fellowships in all areas of our research interests.

You will join a community of >500 researchers and support staff drawn from physics, chemistry, biology, geoscience and engineering, with a strong focus on the marine environment and team up with Prof Joerg Wiedenmann, Dr. Cecilia D’Angelo and Prof Paul Wilson on a cutting edge project working at the interface between the Marine Biology and Palaeoceanography and Palaeoclimate Research Groups of the School of Ocean and Earth Science.

Your primary responsibilities will be:

1. To culture various species of symbiotic corals under controlled laboratory conditions and exposure to different simulated environments and stress.
2. To monitor water chemistry parameters and coral physiology using a range of analytical techniques.
3. To characterise the physiological functioning of corals and their symbionts in response to the environment and analyse nutrient dynamics within the coral-symbiont association using isotope tracers.
4. To analyse the large amounts of experimental data, write research reports and prepare manuscripts for publication and presentation at scientific meetings.
5. To make contributions to the teaching and outreach activities of the Coral Reef Laboratory and the wider University.

You will bring to the project:

1. Strong drive, ambition and motivation, with the capacity to deliver on challenging tasks and to meet deadlines.
2. A PhD* (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Biology, Marine Biology, Isotope Geochemistry).
3. Growing recognition in one of these fields of expertise with a developing international reputation.
4. Intellectual curiosity, skills in hypothesis-testing, experiment design, statistical analysis of data sets and writing scientific manuscripts and reports.
5. Understanding of organism biology, experience in experimental work involving marine animals, symbioses and isotopic tracers, as well as previous experience with aqua- or coral culture are desirable.

* 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.

For further information:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/oes/index.page?

www.noc.ac.uk/corals

For further enquiries please contact Professor Joerg Wiedenmann (joerg.wiedenmann@noc.soton.ac.uk).

Application Procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The vacancy will close at midnight on the closing date as shown above.

References are requested along with your application. This reference system is automated so please ensure you provide the correct email address and allow time for these to be received, prior to the close date, to assist the department with shortlisting.

If you need any assistance, please call Charlene Tyson (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 6803. Please quote reference 1219919HN on all correspondence.

The closing date for this job opportunity has now passed, and applications are no longer being accepted for this position

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification