This PhD project at the University of Leeds investigates the role of Antarctic bioaerosols—specifically mosses and lichens—in influencing cloud formation and climate over the Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean is a region of significant uncertainty in global climate models, largely due to poor representation of aerosol-cloud interactions and mixed-phase clouds. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs), which trigger the freezing of supercooled cloud droplets, are central to these processes and can substantially affect cloud lifetime and radiative properties.

Recent research has shown that biological INPs from Antarctic mosses and lichens are highly efficient at freezing water, yet their impact on cloud formation is not well accounted for in current models. This project, in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey, aims to identify and characterize Antarctic mosses and lichens as potential sources of INPs. You will use state-of-the-art freezing assays and microfluidic technologies to measure ice-nucleating activity, isolate and test different biological structures, and employ aerosol chamber facilities to study the release and atmospheric lifetime of spores and fragments.

Laboratory findings will be compared with aerosol samples collected during the Southern Ocean Clouds (SOC) project to assess the contribution of mosses and lichens to INP signals. Aerosol dispersion modelling will be used to explore transport mechanisms and the potential competition with sea-spray or long-range dust. The project also considers future scenarios in which climate warming may increase Antarctic greening and bioaerosol emissions.

Training will be provided in advanced ice nucleation and aerosol sampling technologies, bioanalytical chemistry, modelling, and interdisciplinary research. You will join the Ice Nucleation Group at Leeds and benefit from a secondment to the British Antarctic Survey, with opportunities to attend summer schools and potentially participate in polar fieldwork or scientific cruises.

Funding is available through the YES-DTN studentship, which covers university fees, a personal stipend, and research/training costs. The position is open to UK and international applicants, though international awards are limited and visa/health surcharge costs are not covered. Applicants should have a strong background in environmental science, earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, or related fields, and demonstrate interest in atmospheric and climate science.

Applications close at 13:00 on Wednesday, 7th January 2026. For more information, visit the YES-DTN website and the FindAPhD project page.