PhD Studentship: Climate Change Impacts on the Antarctic Coastal Ocean Carbon Sink University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

[Fully-funded ARIES studentship covering tuition fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant (RTSG). International applicants may have the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees waived. Additional relocation and visa costs are not covered.]

PhD Studentship: Climate Change Impacts on the Antarctic Coastal Ocean Carbon Sink

The University of East Anglia invites applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship investigating the impacts of climate change on the Antarctic coastal ocean carbon sink. The Southern Ocean is a critical component of the global carbon cycle, absorbing approximately 10% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and thus mitigating climate change. Recent research has shown that wintertime sea ice cover plays a key role in controlling CO2 uptake by Antarctic coastal waters. However, rapid sea ice decline, glacial melt, and warming are raising concerns about the future of this important carbon sink.

Under the supervision of Professor Dorothee Bakker, you will extend the Rothera carbonate chemistry timeseries through a period of rapid sea ice decline, explore the effects of changing sea ice extent on ocean CO2 uptake, and investigate the broader impacts of climate change on ocean carbon dynamics at Rothera and along the Antarctic Peninsula. The project will involve carbonate chemistry analyses at UEA, use of a 1-dimensional ocean-ice model, and integration of data from Rothera, SOCAT, and mapped CO2 products. You will also analyze oceanographic, satellite, and reanalysis data to identify the drivers of observed changes.

Training will be provided in chemical analysis, data processing, visualization, and interpretation using coding languages such as Python or Matlab. You will learn to use a 1-dimensional ocean biogeochemical model and collaborate with the Rothera and POLOMINTS science teams, as well as supervisors at the British Antarctic Survey and the National Oceanography Centre. Opportunities to present your research at international conferences and in peer-reviewed publications are included. While fieldwork is not a core part of the project, there may be opportunities to participate.

Eligibility: Applicants should have at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or a similar numerical subject. Strong scientific interests, self-motivation, practical research aptitude, and numerical skills are essential. English language proficiency at IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each category) is required.

Funding: The ARIES studentship covers full tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant (RTSG). International applicants may have the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees waived, but relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.

Application deadline: 7 January 2025. The studentship is expected to start on 1 October 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the UEA application portal.