Upcoming research opportunities

Research Scientist Position: Marine ecology and machine learning

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

Application deadline, 5th September 2025

Marine microbial ecosystems are tremendously diverse, with substantial implications for how they modulate and are affected by global biogeochemical cycles and climate change. Although novel datasets are expanding our understanding of microbial ecosystems and how they affect carbon uptake and storage, we still struggle to model them adequately. Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence presents an exciting opportunity to use the ever-increasing datasets to explore the interactions between ecosystems and biological carbon cycles.

You will investigate observations and model output using ML/AI to explore topics such as how tipping points are triggered in marine ecosystems, and how plankton diversity influences the biological carbon pump.  You will have the opportunity to explore both fundamental and practical aspects of this work, and to pursue your own related research questions. Through this work you will have the opportunity to substantively improve our ability to understand and predict the interactions between ocean biogeochemistry and marine ecosystems.

You will be part of the Biological Carbon Cycles group. We are a diverse, dynamic, and highly collaborative group of scientists investigating a broad range of topics, including the biological pump, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, and combining observations with models. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with NOC’s Ocean Informatics group, and so have the chance to interact with the full range of ML/AI research at NOC. NOC itself is a fantastic place to work as a research scientist, with a unique combination of benefits. Outside of NOC, you will be working within large, world-class collaborative consortia, through which you will be able to expand your professional network and have access to expert support in ML/AI, observational datasets and numerical modelling.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct research and write papers. At your discretion, you will also have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of other career development activities, such as presenting at conferences, writing proposals, and supervising students.

Further details and how to apply

Postdoctoral Researcher Position: Modelling the biological pump

University of Bern - The Division of Climate and Environmental Physics at the Physics Institute

Position open until filled, with first round of applicants to be reviewed in July 2025

The Division of Climate- and Environmental Physics at the Physics Institute, University of Bern, invites applications for two Postdoctoral Researcher positions to investigate zooplankton dynamics and marine particle fluxes under past, present and future conditions in marine biogeochemistry models.

Project Overview:

This research aims to advance our understanding of how global warming will affect the biological pump, a critical component of the ocean’s carbon cycle and climate regulation. The successful candidate will develop and apply state-of-the-art models to simulate the biological pump under past, present and future conditions, integrating observational data, in particular BGC-Argo observations, and laboratory results.

Your Profile:

  • A completed PhD in marine biogeochemistry, oceanography, climate science, environmental physics, or a related discipline.
  • Strong background in numerical modelling, preferably with experience in marine biogeochemical or physical oceanographic models.
  • Proven expertise in data analysis (e.g., Python or similar).
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop models to simulate the marine particle flux under past, present and future climate scenarios, and/or to simulate zooplankton seasonal migration.
  • Analyse model output and compare results with observational datasets, in particular BGC-Argo data.
  • Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
  • Contribute to the Division’s teaching and outreach activities.
  • Be a kind, supportive, and engaged member of our team—we value not only scientific excellence but also friendship, collaborations and mutual respect within our group.

We Offer:

  • A stimulating research environment within a leading climate and environmental physics division.
  • Collaboration opportunities with an international network of experts, including international research visits.
  • Competitive salary and benefits in line with the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Bern (early or advanced postdoctoral researcher, depending on previous postdoc experience)
  • Duration: 2 years

Application:

Please submit a cover letter detailing your motivation and qualifications (2 pages max), a CV, a publication list, and contact details of at least two references via email to charlotte.laufkoetter@unibe.ch. The first round of applications will be reviewed in July. The position will remain open until filled. The earliest possible start date is October 2025.

For further information, please contact: Prof. Charlotte Laufkötter, charlotte.laufkoetter@unibe.ch