PhD Studentship: Climate change impacts on the Antarctic coastal ocean carbon sink

Primary Supervisor: Prof Dorothee Bakker

Scientific background: 

The Southern Ocean takes up about 10% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by human activity, thus slowing down climate change. Investigation of the unique year-round Rothera CO2 timeseries (2010-2020) has highlighted how wintertime sea ice cover controls CO2 uptake by Antarctic coastal waters [1]. Rapid sea ice decline, strong glacial melt and warming raise concerns on how these climate-driven changes will impact future CO2 uptake by these polar waters. 

Project objectives: 

The project objectives are to extend the Rothera carbonate chemistry timeseries through a period of rapid sea ice decline, to explore the effect of changes in sea ice extent on ocean CO2 uptake and to investigate climate change impacts on ocean CO2 uptake at Rothera and along the Antarctic Peninsula. 

Research methodology: 

In this varied project you will be trained in and carry out carbonate chemistry analyses at the University of East Anglia, while extending the Rothera timeseries (https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/rats/) forwards. You will explore the effects of variable sea ice and of a shift to a long-term low sea ice regime on ocean CO2 uptake for Rothera, using a 1-dimensional ocean-ice model. You will identify any long-term changes in ocean CO2 uptake along the Antarctic Peninsula using data from Rothera, SOCAT (www.socat.info) and mapped CO2 products, while determining the drivers of these changes from the oceanographic data and model experiments as well as satellite and reanalysis products. 

Training: 

You will develop skills in chemical analysis, data processing, visualisation and interpretation using coding (Python or Matlab) and learn to use a 1-dimensional ocean biogeochemical model. You will collaborate with the dynamic Rothera and POLOMINTS (http://polomints.ac.uk/) science teams via your supervisors at the British Antarctic Survey (https://www.bas.ac.uk/) and the National Oceanography Centre (https://noc.ac.uk/). You will present the research findings at an international scientific conference and in peer-reviewed publications. Fieldwork is not part of this project, however, there may be opportunities for it. 

Person specification: 

We seek an enthusiastic, pro-active team player with strong scientific interests, self-motivation, combining an aptitude for practical research with numerical skills. You will have a degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, physics, or similar subject.  

Entry Requirements:

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Acceptable first degree: Natural sciences, Environmental sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or a similar numerical subject. 

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Start Date:

1 October 2026

Funding Information

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge. 

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