Postdoc opportunity: Modeling the role of marine ecosystems in climate change

Our colleague Fanny Monteiro is looking for a postdoctoral fellow interested in exploring the role of marine ecosystems in climate change and developing innovative models to understand their dynamics.  

The successful candidate will write an MSCA funding proposal to join iC3’s vibrant community of 25+ early career researchers. (See all 12 open postdoc opportunities with iC3 here.)   

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What is the focus of your research? Why is it important? 

I am an oceanographer who specialises in developing models to explore how marine ecosystems interact with ocean biogeochemistry and influence climate. My research focuses on marine plankton, including phytoplankton and zooplankton, and their roles in the carbon, nutrient and oxygen cycles.  

These organisms are essential to the Earth System as they act as major carbon sinks and produce half of the Earth's oxygen. Understanding their response to climate change is vital, as shifts in temperature, ocean circulation, and acidification could significantly impact their productivity and the global carbon cycle. 

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What will happen with climate change to all these tiny phytoplankton? 

Climate change is expected to warm our oceans, alter circulation patterns, and increase stratification, potentially reducing nutrient availability. Rising CO₂ levels also drive ocean acidification, which particularly impacts calcifying organisms.  

However, projections of future ocean productivity remain uncertain, with some models predicting declines while others suggest increases. This uncertainty stems from the complexity of marine ecosystems and the limitations of current models in capturing their intricate dynamics. 

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Can you give an example of a concrete application of what you are doing? 

We have a current project called CoccoTrait, which examines the role of coccolithophores in the climate system. These phytoplankton produce calcium carbonate plates, known as coccoliths, which exhibit large morphological diversity across species.  

Using machine learning to analyse sparse observational data, we have discovered that Emiliana huxleyi, traditionally considered the dominant calcifer, is not the only main contributor to global calcification. In addition, larger and more heavily calcified species play a significant role, particularly in subtropical, subantarctic and North Atlantic regions. 

Due to their higher degree of calcification, these species are more vulnerable to ocean acidification, posing a greater risk of calcification under climate change. 

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How did you come to work at the University of Bristol and be affiliated with iC3? 

I completed my PhD in the United States in 2009, focusing on the drivers of marine nitrogen fixation using complex marine ecosystem models.  

After my PhD, I moved to Bristol with a Marie Curie (MSCA) fellowship to pursue my interest in combining ecosystem modeling with paleo studies. I later became a lecturer and am now an associate professor at the University of Bristol, which gives me access to resources like the Isambard-AI supercomputer.  

In 2023, I joined iC3 and took up an adjunct position the UiT The Arctic University of Norway to expand my collaborations with glaciologists in Tromsø. 

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How has your research focus evolved since the beginning of your career? 

My research has evolved from focusing on marine ecosystems and the nitrogen cycle during my PhD to marine calcifiers and a broader interest in coupling marine ecosystem with climate change (including paleo and future).  

The development of the Darwin model, which uses a trait-based approach to simulate complex marine ecosystems, significantly influenced my work. I now integrate ecology, biogeochemistry and climate sciences in my research. 

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What do you hope to achieve leading a research unit within iC3? 

Our research unit is the modelling group within iC3, where we aim to find interactions between different systems, including ice sheet, sediments and oceans, from local to global scales, and collaborate with other research units.  

The unit focuses on developing and applying different models to improve our understanding of polar systems and their impact on global climate. My current work within iC3 focuses on exploring the role of the Antarctic ice sheet in Southern Ocean production, in particular how much glacial iron is fueling marine diatoms and their associated Si:C export.  

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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your research, and how do you overcome them? 

A significant challenge is the lack of observations and understanding for many marine species. We overcome this by using trait-based theories to characterise fundamental ecological rules allowing us to simulate species interactions without direct species observations for modern, future and paleoclimates. 

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What technologies or methodologies are you most excited about in your field? 

AI is particularly exciting, as it helps interpolate sparse data and identify key species and regions for further study. It bridges the gap between observations and models, enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems. 

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What qualities and skills are you looking for in a postdoc? 

It depends on the project, but generally, I value enthusiasm, creativity, and critical thinking. In modelling work, strong mathematical and computing skills are essential. Equally important is being a considerate team player, as collaboration is a big part of scientific research. 

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What does an ideal day off look like for you? 

An ideal day off would involve being outdoors, preferably in the mountains. I enjoy going for a hike with my dog, trail running or skiing with friends or family. It's a perfect way to recharge and enjoy the beauty of the natural world. 

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How do you balance your professional and personal life? 

Balancing work and personal life is essential for maintaining creativity and motivation. I prioritise both aspects by organising my time efficiently and setting clear boundaries, such as not working on weekends. To recharge, I engage in activities like running, yoga, and spending time with my family and friends. 

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What is one thing you are looking forward to in the next year? 

Professionally, I'm excited about my study leave, as it gives me the opportunity to focus on smaller projects and explore new ideas. I'm particularly interested in spending time here at iC3 to think more about the Southern Ocean's interaction with ice sheets and rewriting the Darwin model in Julia, a modern programming language, which is more efficient and composable allowing more complex computing and system coupling.  

On a personal level, I look forward to exploring with my kids the Arctic mountains of Norway during my stay in Tromsø. 

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Do you have any personal motto or thoughts to share? 

"Stay true to yourself" and "Believe in yourself" are mottos I live by. They remind me to remain authentic and confident in my journey, both personally and professionally. 

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If you are interested in applying for an MSCA postdoctoral fellowship with Fanny, please read this first and then send her an email briefly outlining your proposed research project and enclose your CV.    

The iC3 team will support the selected candidate throughout the process of writing a strong MSCA fellowship proposal. More information on MSCA opportunities with the iC3 Polar Research Hub and our support programme here.