PhD Studentship – Windstorms and Atmosphere-Ocean Coupling around Greenland in a Changing Climate University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

[Fully-funded ARIES studentship covering tuition fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and 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.]

This PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia investigates the impacts of windstorms and atmosphere-ocean coupling around Greenland in the context of a changing climate. Supervised by Professor Ian Renfrew, the project addresses how Arctic climate change and sea-ice retreat are altering the interactions between the atmosphere and ocean, particularly through mesoscale weather systems such as barrier winds, polar lows, and tip jets. These phenomena are critical for surface heat exchange and have significant implications for the Greenland and Iceland Seas, as well as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

The research will quantify the impact of high windspeed events on atmosphere-ocean interactions, focusing on long-term changes due to sea-ice retreat and ocean circulation shifts. Key objectives include investigating the structure and characteristics of barrier winds off East Greenland using new wintertime observations from research cruises, conducting numerical weather prediction simulations with both current and future sea-ice distributions, and examining the frequency and ocean mixed-layer impacts of barrier winds and tip jets using state-of-the-art climate model simulations.

Students will receive training in advanced numerical weather prediction using the Met Office Unified Model and in the analysis of climate model outputs. The project offers the opportunity to work with observational data from Norwegian-led research cruises in the western Iceland and Greenland Seas, and may include participation in an autumn 2026 cruise.

Applicants should have a strong background in quantitative sciences, with a degree in Physics, Maths, Meteorology, Oceanography, Geophysics, or a related field. Essential skills include data analysis and numerical modelling, with coding experience considered an asset. English language proficiency is required (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each category).

Funding is provided through the ARIES studentship, subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates will receive a fully-funded studentship covering tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant. International applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver, but should note that relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.

The application deadline is 7 January 2025, with a start date of 1 October 2026. Interested candidates should apply via the University of East Anglia's postgraduate research portal and ensure they meet all entry requirements.