The National Oceanography Centre, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world (http://noc.ac.uk/).
With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK’s leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Working closely with its partners and associates it provides capability to meet the needs across the UK marine science community.
A position is available for a Researcher focusing on Ultra-miniature Environmental Sensor Technology in an experienced multidisciplinary group at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (NOCS). As part of the Multidisciplinary team you will fault find and problem solve our existing microfabricated conductivity temperature and dissolved oxygen (CT-DO) sensor, optimize its performance, validate and demonstrate its performance to our commercialisation partners (a large corporation) and develop exploitation. This sensor provides data for use in environmental and climate modelling, in industrial applications such as borehole monitoring and waste water, and for improving our understanding of the world’s oceans.
Your role will lead the characterisation optimisation and commercialisation of the CT-DO sensor. This will include analysis of the materials and fabrication methods used by extensive testing at high analytical precision, leading to fault identification and solutions which you will develop. You will undertake detailed testing and characterisation via repeated calibrations, field trials and accelerated aging. Further you will develop the technology with the corporation to enable manufacture and full scale commercial exploitation. You will be used to working in a team including presenting your work and ideas for review orally and in writing. You will take responsibility for the work assigned to you and will manage and document this to industry standards.
Experience of detailed testing of instrumentation at high analytical performance is essential. You will have a degree in an engineering or instrumentation related field, and experience of solving complex instrumentation or metrology challenges. A PhD in this area, experience of field deployed environmental instrumentation, experience of conductivity sensors, and microfabrication in a clean room environment would all be advantageous but are not all expected in a single applicant.
Informal enquiries only (please do not send CVs) should be directed to Robin Pascal (rwp@noc.ac.uk).
The post is offered on NERC terms and conditions and is available for 3 years with further extension possible. The basic salary is in the range of £26,450 to £29,710 per annum and is dependent on experience.
NERC provides benefits that include a RCUK pension scheme and a generous leave scheme offering up to 30 days leave and a further 10.5 Public/privilege days. Opportunities for further training and development are supported.
