PhD Studentship - Arctic Atmospheric Ozone Depletion Events and Bromine Explosions

Primary Supervisor: Prof Jan Kaiser

Background & Objectives

Global warming has led to large reductions in polar sea-ice over the past 45 years. Substantial parts of the ocean that used to be covered by multi-year sea ice in summer are now open, releasing primary particles through waves and bubble bursting. Also, gas exchange is significantly faster, and algal blooms increase production of gases and aerosol particles. The gases and particles released are important for atmospheric chemistry and climate.

So-called "ozone depletion events" (ODEs) are frequent spring-time phenomena in the polar lower atmosphere. During ODEs, bromide from sea ice and organohalogens from algae is released as bromine radicals (Br) that react quickly with tropospheric ozone (O3), a process known as bromine explosion. This often leads to the complete destruction of O3. Even though bromine explosions have been studied for over three decades, the exact details of their initiation and the nature of the reactive bromine sources are still unclear.

Frost flowers on sea-ice and precipitation of a particular mineral (ikaite) are possible key factors. The UEA Roland von Glasow Air-Sea-Ice Chamber (RvG-ASIC) will be used to simulate these processes under controlled conditions and for the first time explicitly demonstrate their relevance and feedback with climate change (e.g., melting sea ice exposes more brine channels and salty surfaces, enhancing bromine activation).

Methods

You will use state-of-the art methods and instruments to measure concentrations and fluxes of gases and particles above snow and ice in the RvG-ASIC facility. In addition, there is the possibility to deploy instruments during a polar field campaign. You will interpret your observations with a numerical model to quantitatively understand the laboratory experiments and contrast them with existing or new field observations, with the goal to improve global chemistry-climate models.

Training

You will be part of a dynamic research team at UEA (COAS), British Antarctic Survey (AIC) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (ITI), working on a wide range of environmental topics in the polar regions. You will be trained in the relevant instruments and sampling techniques, modelling, and fieldwork. You will attend an atmospheric sciences summer school and receive support to publish results in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences.

Person specification

Enthusiastic individual with good experimental and numerical skills.

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:

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Environmental sciences
• Earth sciences
• Engineering
• Physical geography
• Or a related subject

Start date: 1^st October 2026

Funding

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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