Senior Research Associate in Marine Physical Chemistry (RA2382) in University of East Anglia

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School of Environmental Sciences

Salary will be £38,784 per annum, with an annual increment up to £46,049 per annum

Fixed Term

Research and Analogous (RA)

27 Feb 2026

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Senior Research Associate in Marine Physical Chemistry (RA2382)

About the Role:

Faculty of Science
School of Environmental Sciences

Senior Research Associate in Marine Physical Chemistry
Ref: RA2382

Salary on appointment will be £38,784 per annum, with an annual increment up to £46,049 per annum.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Research Associate to join a team of investigators working on the NERC/NSF funded project “Seawater pH: Bridging the Gap Between Free and Total pH Scales From Estuaries to the Deep Ocean, and Application to Current Sensors”. This project seeks to improve the calibration and interconversion of the two pH scales used for most seawater pH measurements, and to apply the new calibrations in test deployments of sensors. The successful candidate will be based at the University of East Anglia (UEA), working closely with the Principal Investigator and with other members of the team based at the UK National Oceanography Centre (NOC) where the main laboratory measurement programme is being conducted. The project also involves collaborators at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, with whom we will liaise closely.

At UEA we are developing a chemical speciation model of the buffers used for seawater pH scale calibration. The aim of this project is the extension of the model to high pressures (i.e., depth in the ocean), based on measurements being made at NOC and on literature data. The modelling of the buffer solutions is linked to efforts by national metrology institutes in Europe and elsewhere to improve the pH scales, and the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to interact with them. The work involves the gathering and assessment of data (principally densities and speeds of sound in seawater-related solutions), and the fitting of quantities derived from this data to obtain the parameters of the model.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in (preferably) physical chemistry or one of the other physical sciences, and have demonstrated mathematical and computer programming ability. You will also have some experience of independent research, with publications in respected journals or equivalent within the field. You will have good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to analyse and interpret data and work effectively as part of a team. You will prepare findings for publication, and present research at conferences and workshops. The role will support professional growth, including through support to develop fellowship proposals and broader career development plans.

This full-time post is available from 1 April 2026 on a fixed term basis for up to 24 months.

Enquiries about the project and position are encouraged (contact: Prof. Simon Clegg, [email protected]).

Benefits include:

44 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays and University Customary days (pro rata for part-time).
Family and Work-life balance policies including hybrid working and maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption leave.
Pension scheme with life cover for dependants, plus incapacity cover.
Health and Wellbeing: discounted access to Sportspark facilities, on-campus medical centre including NHS Dentist, Occupational Health and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Campus Facilities: Sportspark, library, nursery, supermarket, post office, bars and catering outlets.
Childcare salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle to Work scheme.
Personal Development: unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses, specialist advice and training from our Organisational Development and Professional Learning Team.

Closing date: 27 February 2026

The University holds an Athena Swan Silver Institutional Award in recognition of our advancement towards gender equality.

Further Information

For further information, including the Job Description and Person Specification, please see the attached Candidate Brochure.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Professor Simon Clegg ([email protected]).

Additional Project Information

This project arises from work begun in 2016 by SCOR Working Group 145, and now continued by the Marine Chemical Speciation Model (MarChemSpec) group. The website marchemspec.org, soon to be updated, describes past activities, and lists papers published and software released.

The speciation model consists of a set of thermodynamic equilibrium constants, and the well known Pitzer model for the estimation of activity coefficients. A discussion of the chemical speciation model of the buffer can be found in Clegg et al. (2023) Marine Chemistry 244, art. no. 104096 (doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2022.104096). The types of measurements being made by our colleagues at NOC are the same as made by Rodriguez et al. (2015) Deep Sea Research I 104, 41-51 (dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2015.06.008).

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