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Senior / Principal Research Scientist - Sea Level
National Oceanography Centre
Liverpool, UK
GBP 52,018-64,545 / year
Posted on May 13, 2025
Senior / Principal Research Scientist - Sea Level
National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool
Permanent
Full time (37 hours per week)
Salary:
We are happy to consider candidates at Band 4 (Principal) or Band 5 (Senior) depending on experience:
Band 4: £64, 545
Band 5: £52, 018
Who are we?
We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.
We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.
The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.
Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.
About the role
Approximately 11% of the global population lives in the low elevation coastal zone less than 10m above sea level. Sustainability and viability of coastal communities depends on appropriate coastal management and planning. Sea level rise affects many aspects of coastal systems via impacts on coastal flooding, coastal habitats, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion amongst others. With a wider awareness of the threat from rising sea levels, coastal managers and planners now have diverse needs for locally relevant sea level information beyond the current state of the art.
Coastal sea levels exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability and future projections are associated with significant uncertainty. It is essential to gain better understanding of regional and coastal variability, including how coastal ocean processes modulate large-scale changes in future projections, to support sustainable management of coastal zones. It is also essential to better understand the key feedback mechanisms and tipping points affecting sea level (e.g. changes in heat uptake, circulation patterns, ocean-atmosphere interactions) to improve future projections, including how uncertainty is treated and communicated to local users.
This role will lead work that provides new understanding of how ocean dynamics control regional and coastal variability of sea level and engages with interested groups and users towards coastal adaptation to a changing climate.
This role will build upon existing strengths at NOC in ocean observations from a wide range of platforms, ocean modelling, and future sea level projections. Areas of interest may include: ocean shelf exchanges and links between open ocean changes and coastal sea level; influence of long-term sea level trends on extreme events at the coast within a multi-hazard framework; ocean dynamics and consequences of sea level related tipping points. This role will also achieve uptake and impact of their science by engaging across sectors with government, business, and society.
The role is open at either Senior Research Scientist level (Band 5) or Principal Research Scientist level (Band 4). This role is offered as an open-ended position.
About you
You will revel in working in large interdisciplinary teams and you will enjoy a collaborative science environment. You will possess a PhD in a field relevant to sea level science. You will seek to apply analytical skills using observational and/or modelling datasets to address important scientific questions in sea level research. You will have experience of delivering high-quality scientific outputs and of generating new knowledge, supported by a track record of scientific outputs and peer-reviewed publications. You will have experience of contributing to (i) policy and societal impact of your research and to (ii) the wider scientific community. You will be committed to developing individuals and may already have experience in this. You will be highly motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team. You will have excellent communication skills and will be able to provide evidence of strong technical writing skills.
For positions at Senior Research Scientist level (Band 5) level, you will be able to demonstrate research leadership skills with the vision and ability to lead your own research and small/medium projects. You will also have a track record of securing research funding.
For positions at Principal Research Scientist level (Band 4), you will be able to demonstrate research leadership skills with the vision and ability to lead your own research and large/complex projects. You will also have a track record of securing significant research funding as a lead investigator.
Why NOC?
We offer a generous set of benefits, including:
- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and anonymous support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
- access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
- a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer
- we can support visa applications where required
Location
This position will be based in Liverpool. The centre is part of the University campus and is only a short walk from the city centre and Lime Street station.
We have 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 may be able to offer financial support for applicants who will need to relocate for this position.
Submitting an application
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 careers@noc.ac.uk / 07955 851648.
Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.
Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability. NOC is an Investors in People organisation.
Date advert posted: 13 May 2025.
Closing date: 19 June 2025. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.
Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.