Group

I’m starting a new research group at the University of Edinburgh, and I’m currently hiring.

Postdoctoral positions: Turbulent mixing in a changing Arctic Ocean

Two three-year PDRA positions are available at the University of Edinburgh to study the small-scale fluid dynamics of the Arctic Ocean.

Closing date: 14 October 2026

Apply: University of Edinburgh job advert

Questions: get in touch at lbaker@ed.ac.uk

These positions are funded by UKRI to work on understanding turbulent mixing in a changing Arctic Ocean. As our climate warms, Arctic currents are expected to become more energetic. This could result in more turbulence generation from small-scale processes such as internal waves, and consequently more heat flux from the relatively warm, deep Arctic to the vulnerable surface sea ice. Climate models do not currently represent these processes, which are dynamically different from those elsewhere in the global ocean.

The project

This project aims to:

1. understand the fluid dynamics of small-scale processes in the Arctic Ocean that have the potential to redistribute heat and other tracers between the ocean surface and interior through turbulent mixing,
2. develop parameterisations of these processes for implementation in ocean and climate models, and
3. assess the impact of turbulent mixing on the Arctic Ocean state.

The role

The PDRA(s) on this project will, together with me and my collaborators, develop theoretical models (e.g. for linear topographic wave generation), which will be verified against idealised numerical simulations using Oceananigans. Existing oceanic observations will be used throughout to identify the relevant regimes and evaluate results. Parameterisation schemes will be implemented and assessed in a regional Arctic model in collaboration with project partners at the National Oceanography Centre.

The specific balance of theoretical and computational work can be tailored to the successful candidate’s strengths.