Gases in the Overturning and Horizontal Circulation of the Subpolar North Atlantic (GOHSNAP)
The Ocean Circulation and Biogeochemistry Lab led by Dr. Jaime Palter at University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography invite applications to join an international and interdisciplinary group studying the transport of oxygen and carbon through the Subpolar North Atlantic. This postdoctoral position is funded through NSF-Chemical Oceanography and entails working with new biogeochemical data collected on the Labrador Sea mooring array deployed as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program (O-SNAP).
Project overview: GOHNSAP instruments have been collecting a 2-year record the full water column concentration of O2 across the southern boundary of the Labrador Sea since 2020. These instruments will be recovered and redeployed in 2022. The aim of this project is to use these data, together with O-SNAP velocity observations, to quantify the transport of oxygen and the relative contributions of the horizontal and overturning circulations in supplying that O2 to the deep ocean. Additional instruments are measuring mixed layer pCO2, from which air-sea gas exchange will be calculated and compared against analogous observations in the convective interior of the Labrador Sea.
Responsibilities and Duties: The postdoc will lead the analysis of the GOHSNAP data, synthesize this work in the context of the O-SNAP transports, and write manuscripts from the results. The individual will contribute to field work on one or more of the mooring cruises, if possible. The postdoc will have the opportunity to contribute to outreach activities planned with K-12 school teachers and facilitated by URI’s Inner Space Center. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to the functioning of the research group, assist with graduate or undergraduate student mentoring and will be encouraged to develop future research projects. There is no teaching requirement or expectation to write research grants, but those opportunities can be provided.
Qualifications: Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. degree in Physical or Chemical Oceanography or closely related field at the start date. Candidates must possess demonstrable programming skills in Matlab or Python needed to synthesize large data sets. Relevant knowledge about ocean circulation is desirable. Excellent written and verbal science communication skills are important.
Appointment: The position is intended to start in spring or summer 2022 and is for 12-months, with funding secured for a second year, pending satisfactory progress. The postdoc will receive training in research collaboration, presentation and publication of results, outreach, and mentoring. The ideal candidate will work on site at GSO, but accommodations for remote work will be considered.
To Apply: Applications must include (1) a 2-page statement of experience, career goals, research vision and interests; (2) curriculum vitae, (3) reprints of relevant publications and (4) names and email addresses of three references who can provide a recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single pdf document to: jpalter@uri.edu with ‘GOHSNAP PostDoc Application’ in the subject line.
Candidates will be selected based on overall excellence, including academic qualifications, reference assessments, and prior skills, experience, and research goals that are compatible with the goals of the funded research. The position is compensated through a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are important to URI and GSO. We are committed to a sustained University-wide effort to advance inclusion and belonging, including being one of the first oceanography schools to be selected as an AGU-Bridge partner institution. We encourage women, minorities, veterans, those with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.”
Review: Applications to be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact jpalter@uri.edu with any questions.