Job description
Research Scientist - Socio-Oceanography
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Permanent
Full time (37 hours per week)
Band 6: £39,868- £43,735 per annum
Who are we?
We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK's centre of excellence for oceanographic sciences. We are a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean.
We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community whose focus is on improving the world in which we live. Our work is balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one NOC’ approach.
We have a rich history dating back to 1949, and our future has never looked more exciting as we aim to be the world’s most innovative oceanographic institution.
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled marine interdisciplinary scientist, specialising in social environmental science, economic or social geography or political ecology, to join our rapidly expanding team in the emerging area of socio-oceanography (https://projects.noc.ac.uk/socio-oceanography/ ). This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic research environment that takes a whole system approach to the marine environment and focuses on addressing societal challenges. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and contributing to research projects focused on large-scale problems related to the social and economic aspects of ocean resources management, from national to global levels. We are looking for a numerically talented candidate with a strong interest in working with continental- and/or global-scale data, their analysis and visualisation.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research in interdisciplinary marine challenges which explicitly factors in societal aspects, including analysing data, identifying trends, and assessing the impacts of human activities on the marine environment.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and projects to address complex problems related to the following challenges:
- Risks of climate change to the UK and EU blue economy and marine ecosystem services
- Vulnerability of the developing countries and their coastal communities to climate change impacts
- Costs, impacts, unintended consequences and social acceptability of the ocean-based large-scale carbon dioxide removal techniques
- Develop and implement innovative research methodologies, tools and models that link economies, societies, and nature
- Publish research findings in academic journals and present them at conferences and public forums
- Contribute to grant proposals and seek funding opportunities to support research activities
- Provide expert advice to stakeholders and policymakers on marine socio-economic issues
About you
- PhD in environmental socio-economics, economics, geography or related field
- Familiarity with socio-oceanographic challenges
- Proficiency in relevant software and programming languages, such as R, Python, Matlab, or GIS (further training and support for Python will be provided)
- Strong research skills, including quantitative and qualitative analysis, data management, and statistical skills.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with a demonstrated ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences.
Why the NOC?
We offer a generous set of benefits including 28 days annual leave, plus 3.5 local closure days and 8 public bank holidays, and a contributory Group Personal Pension Plan.
We promote an inclusive and supportive environment where our people can meet their full potential.
The NOC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. There is a guaranteed interview scheme for suitable candidates with a disability and we welcome applications from ethnic minorities currently under-represented. The NOC is an Investors in People organisation.
Location
This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking.
The NOC has a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.
We can support visa applications where required. For overseas applicants who are willing to move to the UK we may be able to offer financial support with relocation.
How to apply:
Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at [email protected] / 07590 805967.
Before submitting your application, please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.
Date advert posted: 28 July 2023
Closing date: 08 September 2023. Please note this vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.
Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.
Assessing applications
All applications to the NOC are reviewed by a real-life person, not a computer programme. Attached to our adverts you will find a ‘Job Description and Person Specification’ document which clearly sets out the criteria against which applications are assessed. Once assessed the most suitable candidates will be invited to interview.
If you have been selected for interview we will be in touch to arrange a time and date. If you haven’t been selected for interview we will let you know, although we may not be able to give detailed feedback to every applicant.