PhD Studentship: How will Air-Sea Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Respond to Global Change

Primary supervisor – Prof Parvadha Suntharalingham

BACKGROUND

The ocean plays a key role in controlling atmospheric greenhouse-gas levels. It removes a significant fraction of anthropogenic carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere, and also emits nitrous-oxide and methane, important greenhouse-gases formed by marine ecosystems. We urgently need to understand the processes regulating these air-sea fluxes, and how they will evolve under future global change. To accurately assess the combined impact of different greenhouse-gases on climate it is important to use models that integrate the underlying carbon and nitrogen cycles, and deliver a consistent greenhouse-gas flux response to global change. 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this project you will work with a team of scientists from the University of East Anglia and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), to develop an integrated greenhouse-gas ocean biogeochemistry model. You will apply the integrated model to assess the combined oceanic greenhouse-gas response to a range of climate change scenarios, e.g., accounting for the impacts of ocean warming and deoxygenation on marine ecosystems. The overarching aim will be to assess how the impacts of global change will affect the air-sea fluxes of the major greenhouse-gases within a consistent physical and biological model framework. 

TRAINING

This is a collaborative project between UEA, and the British Antarctic Survey and builds on previous research by the supervisory team on ocean biogeochemistry and climate change impacts. You will receive training in ocean circulation and biogeochemistry, numerical methods, and associated climate data analyses. You will acquire skills in science communication, project management and collaborative research, and will be involved in a project of critical interest to oceanography and climate research communities. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This project is suited for a candidate with a background in natural sciences, engineering or mathematics, with good numerical and programming skills, and interests in ocean biogeochemistry and global change. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in a Bachelor’s degree in Natural sciences, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Environmental Sciences.

START DATE

1 October 2025

MODE OF STUDY

Full or part time

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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