Research Fellow in Global Marine Ecosystem Modelling
We have an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how phytoplankton physiology influences ocean carbon cycling. The successful candidate will join a UK-US research project, From Monod to Macromolecules: assessing nutrient-carbon coupling in a hierarchy of ocean-ecosystem models, based at the University of Southampton and working in collaboration with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The project will compare different approaches to representing phytoplankton physiology within the MITgcm-Darwin ocean ecosystem model. The successful candidate will implement and evaluate a range of physiological sub-models with the MIT virtual ocean environment, to investigate which aspects of cellular physiology are important for predicting nutrient cycling, primary production and carbon export.
The work will involve developing and testing numerical models, running global ocean simulations and analysing model outputs alongside oceanographic observations. There will also be opportunities to investigate how the effects of physiological complexity depend on environmental variability and ecological interactions.
We are looking for someone with strong quantitative and programming skills, and experience developing or analysing numerical models. A background in marine ecology, oceanography, biogeochemistry, applied mathematics or a related field would be beneficial. Experience with Fortran, high-performance computing and/or marine ecosystem models would be advantageous, but is not essential.
At Southampton, you will work closely with Dr Ben Ward and Professor Mark Moore, in collaboration with Professor Mick Follows, Dr Stephanie Dutkiewicz and colleagues at MIT. You will also have opportunities to work with staff and students across the wider Marine Biogeochemistry research group and the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and to present their work at national and international scientific conferences.
We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role, and those who are committed to helping us create a diverse and inclusive work environment.
We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities. We recognise that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. We offer a generous holiday allowance and additional University closure days, subsidised health and fitness facilities and access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.
The position is full-time and fixed-term for 20 months, with an anticipated start in early 2027.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Ben Ward (b.a.ward@soton.ac.uk).
Working at the University of Southampton
Find out more about the staff benefits and working at the University of Southampton.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm UK time on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
Location: National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary: £37,369 to £41,885
Full Time Fixed Term (20 months)
Closing Date: Wednesday 09 December 2026
