VLIZ recruits: postdoc researcher

VLIZ - Flanders Marine Institute

VLIZ - Flanders Marine Institute

Posted on Saturday, August 10, 2024

Join us and become the new member of the VLIZ research department and a member of the InMOS project!


The project

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges today, with the ocean at the heart of it. The ocean acts as the ultimate climate regulator by absorbing 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas warming and annually about 25% of all man-made CO2 emissions. The “Past, Present and Future Climate” research group (https://www.vliz.be/en/past-present-and-future-marine-climate-change) led by Dr Peter Landschützer combines in-situ observations with novel machine learning tools to better understand the ocean in a changing climate from the recent past towards better understanding our possible future.

The ocean is warming up, acidifying and losing oxygen, however, the interconnections between these environmental stressors are to date not well understood. Within the Integration of models and observations across scales (InMOS) project (https://www.schmidtsciences.org/the-ocean-biogeochemistry-virtual-institute-obvi/), you will develop new constraints of ocean carbon, heat and oxygen, by upscaling in-situ measurements using existing methods and applying new machine learning tools in collaboration with the InMOS partners from 11 institutions in the US, UK, Belgium, and South Africa. These estimates will be used to study the continuity between the air-sea CO2 and O2 exchange and the accumulation and transport of carbon, the loss of oxygen in the ocean interior, as well as connection to heat fluxes to support model development. Are you up for this challenge?


Our offer

  • A fully funded post-doc project in a vibrant and international environment at Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Ostend, Belgium.

  • An open-ended contract, subject to project progress and funding availability (up to 4 years of funding is available through InMOS).

  • A competitive salary package based on your diploma/experience, according to the salary scales set forth by the Flemish Government on 01-01-2009.

  • Additional benefits: holiday allowance, hospitalization insurance, end of year allowance, meal vouchers, bicycle allowance, free public transport for commuting, and the option for bike lease.

  • A good work-life balance through a generous leave package, flexible working hours within a 38-hour working week and the possibility to work partly from home after an induction period.

  • Opportunities for personal development (training).


Your tasks

  • Join our team efforts to combine in-situ data of ocean physics and chemistry with machine learning tools to create new constraints on ocean carbon, oxygen and heat;

  • Be a team player and closely interact with complementary projects the group is involved in (e.g. AI4PEX);

  • Add to the closure of the marine carbon budget and support future model development in support of climate assessment studies and carbon mitigation efforts;

  • Collaborate and interact with researchers in Europe, South Africa and the US;

  • Publish your results in peer-reviewed academic journals.


For each function, VLIZ considers enthusiastic involvement, excellent professionalism and integrity as important characteristics.


Your profile

  • You have a PhD degree in Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, etc), Mathematics or Informatics (required).

  • You are experienced in big data analyses and machine learning or other relevant statistical techniques (required).

  • You have a proven track record of publishing international peer-reviewed journal publications (required).

  • You are proficient in at least 1 higher programming language (required).

  • You are willing to travel abroad within Europe and the US (required).

  • You have previously studied marine biogeochemical cycles (optional).

  • You are interested in obtaining 3rd party funding beyond InMOS as part of your personal professional career development (optional).

ABOUT US

Over the last 25 years, VLIZ has become a knowledge institution indispensable to the marine research landscape. VLIZ initiates and carries out multidisciplinary research and supports marine experts by providing research infrastructure, data, information and knowledge. VLIZ supports the blue economy and reaches out to a broad public. VLIZ further broadens its marine horizons and aims at becoming a world player in the field of marine and coastal research. A stimulating working environment forms the base of our flourishing knowledge institute. The well-being of our employees comes first. VLIZ is looking for colleagues who, with their passion and knowledge, want to strengthen our growing institute and face the blue challenges of the future.


Additional information

For more information concerning this vacancy, please contact the VLIZ Research director, dr Peter Landschützer, by e-mail to
peter.landschutzer@vliz.be


Does this vacancy appeal to you?

Send us, no later than 15 September 2024:

  1. a cover letter (max 2 pages)

  2. a statement of your research experience (max 1 page)

  3. an academic CV, including a list of publications

  4. contact details of two academic referees


The preferential start date for this position is as soon as possible. There is some flexibility, so please state in your cover letter when you can start the position.


You can send us the documents:

  • By mail: jobs@vliz.be with subject “2024-019 Postdoc InMOS”

  • By post: Jan Mees, General director, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende

You can contact us by telephone on +32 (0)59 33 60 00.


VLIZ promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. You will be recruited based on competencies. Qualities of people are decisive, regardless of gender, religion, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or any disability.

Do you have a disability? Please attach a document to your application so that we can adapt our selection procedure where necessary. This information will be handled with discretion.


Procedure

Based on the received application documents, a select group of candidates will be invited for a job interview. We anticipate the first round of job interviews taking place in the offices of VLIZ and online on 1 October 2024.