Junior Marine Biogeochemist

Job Summary

PML is seeking a highly motivated junior scientist to join our world class biogeochemistry team. You will be a well organised individual who has experience in the operation of laboratory instrumentation. In this role you will be responsible for the operation of equipment both at PML and, importantly, in the field. All training will be provided but you should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of marine chemistry and should be familiar with analytical methods which could include stable isotope mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and nutrient autoanalysers.  You will be working in shared laboratories to ISO standards 45001 and 9001 and it is essential that you are familiar with health and safety and quality control procedures. Fieldwork is a key to the delivery of this position and you will be expected to work for extended periods on land and ship-based expeditions for which you will need to take sea survival training and obtain certification of medical wellbeing.  Your minimum qualifications will be at degree level or equivalent.  Some experience in the use of statistics would prove advantageous.

To provide technical support in the delivery of MBO activities. This will include use of analytical instrumentation and participation in field work activities between river catchments and the open ocean. This post will be responsible for deployment of field instrumentation, collection, analysis of samples and data presentation which all require a high level of competency.

This person will:  

1. Take part in fieldwork activities
2. Take responsibility for sample collection and analysis of environmental samples including but not limited to: Particulate carbon and nitrogen, Chlorophyll-a, Oxygen, carbon chemistry (TA, DIC, pH, CDOM, DOC), nutrients.
3. Maintain, deploy and calibrate laboratory and field instrumentation.
4. Provide and manage quality controlled data-sets

And will work according to PML’s ISO accredited standards of quality, health and safety and environmental responsibility

Key Deliverables

Successful execution of land-based and sea-going fieldwork. 

Generation of high quality, traceable datasets by working at a level compatible with ISO 45001 and 9001 accreditation

Operation, maintenance and calibration of laboratory instrumentation

Presenting results and writing scientific reports and papers

Skills Specification

Degree level or equivalent in marine or environmental science, or pure chemistry if understanding of marine environment can be demonstrated. Role is to provide analytical support of MBO activities.    

Use of laboratory instrumentation and experience of laboratory and/or fieldwork.                                                                                                                                              

Strong understanding of the principal of instrumentation calibration and the ability to calculate sample concentrations or process rates using excel spreadsheets is a bare minimum.       

Use of Microsoft packages is critical, the use or programming through R, Python or similar is desirable

An understanding of teamwork and team dynamics is important.

Required to communicate effectively within a team environment but no demand for oral presentation of work. Written reports should be clear but no requirement for paper writing

Applicant Information

We particularly welcome applications for this position from candidates whose personal circumstances may put them at a disadvantage when pursuing higher education. This could include (but is not limited to), care experienced, minority ethnic or religious groups, or those from economically disadvantaged areas.