PhD: Understanding Weddell Sea freshwater influence on water mass formation and climate change

University of Southampton

Southampton, UK šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§

About the project

This project will use a variety of hydrographic datasets to understand the water mass formation processes within the ice covered Weddell Sea, and how they are responding to climate change. These control the formation of climatically important water masses and the exchange of properties between the ocean and atmosphere.   

The Weddell Sea, the region of the Southern Ocean east of the Antarctic Peninsula, contains unique sea ice, ice shelf and water formation sites.  The regional formation of dense water through the interaction of winds and sea ice has a global climate impact far beyond its size   

The British Antarctic Survey and the University of Southampton teams have revealed dramatic changes in the volumes of Weddell Sea bottom water over the last several decades, potentially one of the largest shifts in ocean circulation on the planet, but because of the inaccessibility of the region it is difficult to assess the forcing and processes driving this change.  This project will take new hydrographic data sets that bound the region and apply inverse mathematical approaches to ā€˜back outā€™ the change in recent decades.  It will also apply innovative thermodynamic approaches to assess the processes contributing to this change, notably the contribution of sea ice vs ice sheet melt in suppressing dense water formation.  

This work will align with the analysis of the large Horizon Europe OCEAN:ICE and UK BIOPOLE programmes.  It will provide valuable information on how freshwater and associated melt processes are influencing one of the most dramatic, and poorly observed and modelled, changes in ocean circulation on the planet.  This is an active and important area of research, and the applicant will be placed within a vibrant and active set of research teams tackling related problems, with strong links to other UK and international researcher in the field.   

You will also be supervised by organisations other than the University of Southampton, includingĀ Dr. Andrew MeijersĀ (Lead Supervisor),Ā Rachael Sanders, andĀ Mike MeredithĀ from theĀ British Antarctic Survey.Ā 

Potential supervisors

Lead supervisor

Dr Alessandro Silvano

NERC Independent Research Fellow

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or higher in a relevant subject. 

You can also have its international equivalent.

International applications

If English is not your first language, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components.

Visit our English language proficiency pages toĀ find out about other qualifications we accept.

Fees and funding

This project is eligible for full funding. Learn more about theĀ funding scheme here.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

  • choose programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
  • choose PhD in IGNITE (full time)
  • add your supervisor in section 2

Applications should include:

  • a personal statement
  • your CV (resumĆ©)
  • 2 academic references
  • degree transcripts to date

It is essential for overseas applicants to make contact with the lead supervisor prior to applying.

Contact us

Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences

If you have a general question, email our doctoral college: fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk.

Project leader

This project is led by Dr Andrew Meijers and hosted at the British Antarctic Survey in collaboration with the University of Southampton.

For an initial conversation, Andrew Meijers andmei@bas.ac.uk . 


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

You ad could be here!