PhD Studentship: Antarctic Glacial Meltwater and its Importance for Ocean Circulation and Climate

Scientific background:

West Antarctica’s fast-melting ice shelves release fresh water into the shelf seas that surround the continent (Sheehan et al., 2023). This alters circumpolar and global ocean currents by affecting temperatures and salt concentrations; it can even alter the ocean’s structure in a way that accelerates melting (Flexas et al., 2022). Our understanding of where the meltwater goes and the processes that determine this is poor – particularly because measurements in key regions have been very hard to obtain. You will uncover where this meltwater is going and why, helping to improve predictions of how it will influence global ocean circulation and ice shelf melting in the coming decades.

Research methodology 

You will analyse new and historical measurements of ocean properties collected by ships, profiling floats, tagged seals and UEA’s fleet of ocean gliders – underwater robots equipped for taking measurements in remote locations – to detect and quantify meltwater flows in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. You will develop the oceanographic understanding necessary to investigate the processes that control these flows, and you will use output from state-of-the-art ocean models to investigate how and why these processes change over years and decades.  

Training:

You will gain a thorough training in physical oceanography, including ice-ocean interactions and Big-Data science. You will be encouraged to apply for courses such as the FDSE fluid dynamics summer school. We anticipate that you will have the opportunity to participate in a Southern Ocean cruise to gain sea-going experience (subject to medical), and to deploy ocean gliders as part of your own research. You will gain skills in marine autonomy and robotics, including glider deployments, mission design and glider piloting. You will learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly, including by interacting with national and international collaborators on the NERC-funded BELLISSIMO project. The project will equip you for a wide variety of careers, e.g. ocean/climate research, marine industries and consultancy. 

Person specification:

You will be keen to learn about ocean physics and will have studied natural sciences, physics, mathematics, oceanography, meteorology or environmental sciences. You will have good numerical and computational skills. 

Funding details: 

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 (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) 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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