Research Fellow in Ocean Photosynthesis

Marine Biogeochemistry

We have an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher to join our multidisciplinary project: New perspectives on ocean photosynthesis (nPOP), which was recently funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) UK. Our aim is to combine novel observational, experimental and modelling experiments to determine how light is used by photosynthetic microbes under nutrient limitation to better understand contemporary and future biological productivity. With funding for a 3-year postdoctoral research position available from May 2023 at the University of Southampton, as the successful candidate you would be based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. You will be responsible for: (1) collecting in situ and experimental samples of microbial communities from ocean systems; (2) extraction and bioinformatics analysis of metatranscriptomic datasets of these samples; and (3) interpretation of these datasets in relation to environmental physiological parameters.

The post thus requires experience in bioinformatics analysis of environmental microbiological samples, ideally with a focus on ocean systems. At the University of Southampton, you will have access to an in-house sequencing facility and computational infrastructure for bioinformatics analysis and will work closely with Prof Thomas Bibby as well as with project Co-PIs Mark Moore, Maeve Lohan and Ben Ward. You will also have the opportunity to interact and work with staff and students across the wider Marine Biogeochemistry research group, School of Ocean and Earth Science and colleagues at the National Oceanography Centre. You will be expected to participate in a research cruise to the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean in Dec 2023 – Jan 2024, where you will be responsible for the collection of samples and setting-up experiments on-board ship to explore the controls of nutrient availability of ocean productivity.

Applicants should have a PhD (or equivalent) in environmental microbiology with experience in collection and bioinformatic analysis of omic datasets, along with a publication record appropriate to your research experience. Ideally, you will have experience of sample collection at sea. You will be expected to play a full role in the timely write-up and publication of the study results, including participation in national and international ocean sciences 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). 

This position is available from 1^st May 2023

 Interviews will take place in person in February 2022. 

 For further enquiries please contact Prof Thomas Bibby (tsb@soton.ac.uk). 

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Lauren (Recruitment) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 2096222HN on all correspondence.

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification