University of East Anglia
1 year ago
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PhD Studentship - Towards Near Real-time Quantification of Fossil Fuel Emissions, CASE project with The National Physical Laboratory University of East Anglia in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Machine Learning
Funding
Fully-funded studentship (fees, stipend, RTSG); international fee waiver available; relocation and visa costs not covered.
Deadline
Oct 1, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of East Anglia
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About this position
This PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia focuses on developing near real-time top-down quantification of fossil fuel CO2 emissions using atmospheric measurements. The project addresses the challenge of accurately evaluating national fossil fuel CO2 emissions, a critical component for the successful implementation of the Paris agreement. Current bottom-up and top-down approaches to emissions estimation have significant limitations, with top-down methods hindered by large natural CO2 fluxes.
The research aims to advance top-down quantification by leveraging synchronous atmospheric CO2 and oxygen (O2) measurements, alongside complementary tracers such as Radon. You will use new data products of fossil fuel O2 and CO2 emission ratios and new measurements from the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory and the Heathfield Tall Tower in the UK. Key objectives include disentangling atmospheric signals into anthropogenic and natural processes, investigating O2 and CO2 fossil fuel emissions ratios for the UK, working towards near real-time emissions reporting, and re-evaluating land and ocean carbon sink partitioning to address carbon budget imbalances. Extensive training will be provided in high-precision atmospheric O2 and CO2 measurement, tracer analysis, programming (R, Python) for advanced time-series analyses including machine learning, and scientific communication.
The studentship includes a 3-6 month placement at the UK National Physical Laboratory for research-led training, and an optional 1-3 month research visit in Wellington, New Zealand, working with CarbonWatch-NZ data. Attendance at summer schools such as the National Centre for Atmospheric Science summer school is also supported. Applicants should have a strong interest in the carbon cycle and climate change, self-motivation, and numerical skills.
Entry requirements include a UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 in environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, natural sciences, engineering, or similar, and IELTS 6.5 overall (6 in each category). Funding is provided through the ARIES studentship, covering fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant. International applicants may have the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees waived, but relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.
The position starts on 1st October 2026.
Funding details
Fully-funded studentship (fees, stipend, RTSG); international fee waiver available; relocation and visa costs not covered.
What's required
Applicants must have at least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. Acceptable first degrees include environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, natural sciences, engineering, or similar subjects. English language requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 6 in each category. Candidates should be enthusiastic team players with strong interest in the carbon cycle and climate change, self-motivation, and numerical skills.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.