Ice/Ocean Modeller

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Job Info

• Job Category Science
• Apply Before 03/23/2026, 11:55 PM
• Job Identification 2026
• Posting Date 02/23/2026, 03:57 PM

Job Description

British Antarctic Survey

BAS 26/35

Contract type: FTA (24 months)

Location: Cambridge

Interview date: 14 th -15 th April 2026

Background/Overview:

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an ice-ocean modeller to join our Ice Dynamics and Polar Ocean teams. This post forms part of a collaborative UK-wide project ISOTIPIC focused on tipping points in Antarctica and Greenland. ISOTIPIC brings together ocean and ice modelling groups at various UK universities (e.g. University of Bristol and Northumbria University).

At BAS, you'll join an interdisciplinary team of oceanographers and glaciologists working closely together to improve our understanding of the evolving ice and ocean dynamics in Greenland and Antarctica. You'll help us to deliver exciting and impactful scientific research on one of the biggest questions facing society: how much and how fast will ice sheets melt, influencing North Atlantic climate and causing global sea-level rise?

Purpose:

We are looking for a post-doctoral physical scientist in the field of ice/ocean modelling to investigate the role of ice-ocean interactions in ongoing ice loss from the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica. In particular, the Ice/Ocean Modeller will investigate whether the ice loss in this region has already passed a tipping point and so is committed to causing substantial future sea level rise. The postholder will run and evaluate existing standalone and coupled regional models of the ocean and ice sheet in this region. These models will be used to assess the contribution of historical tipping and anthropogenic forcing to the changes in this region, and to assess the potential for future tipping points.

The role is based within a collaborative grouping of ice and ocean scientists in the Polar Oceans and Ice Dynamics teams at BAS, which includes ice sheet and ocean modellers as well as observational and field scientists. Assessing the future contribution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to sea-level rise and North Atlantic climate is the core research goal of this grouping.

We support the individual needs of our colleagues within a wider culture that is friendly, respectful, open and honest. We want the postholders to have freedom to pursue this science in the direction they think best, though we will of course offer full training in the technical aspects and modelling specifics and provide guidance on the research questions. There will also be plenty of scope to tailor the project to the candidate's interests, within the remit of the broader ISOTIPIC project.

This post is advertised in parallel with the Ice Modeller/Emulation Scientist role . Applicants are encouraged to apply to both roles, which will be combined into a single interview. Please submit identical applications for each role you are interested in; we unfortunately cannot consider you for any roles to which you do not apply. Please ensure your cover letter and CV show how you meet the criteria below, and include a list of your publications.

If this role appeals to you, we'd love to hear from you, whatever your background. Full training in all aspects of the modelling will be provided. The role is available immediately, but our top priority is to recruit the best candidate, and we would consider any start date. Informal enquiries about this post are very welcome and should be addressed to Rosie Williams ( ), Paul Holland ( ) or Robert Arthern ( ).

Duties:

Duties and responsibilities include:

Using targeted experiments with the coupled ice/ocean WAVI-MITgcm model to assess whether a tipping point has been passed in the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica

Using historical simulations to quantify the contribution of the historical tipping and anthropogenic forcing to the ongoing changes in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

Quantifying uncertainties in future sea level contribution from this region due to ice sheet initialisation methods and future forcing scenarios

Publishing papers in the scientific literature and presenting at international scientific conferences

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

First degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD or equivalent experience

Experience in the use of numerical models (e.g. ice sheet or ocean models), or equivalent related experience

Experience with computer coding (e.g. Julia, Python, Fortran)

Experience of Linux and PC based systems

Track record of publication in high-quality journals and presentation at international conferences

Proficient in written and spoken English

Able to set own priorities and manage time effectively

Able to work effectively as part of a team

Background in numerical modelling of ice/ocean interactions or ice sheet flow

Knowledge of ice-ocean interactions

Experience with MITgcm

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Our skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through our extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe! If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.