About the Project
The ACCE+ DLA is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey.
We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.
Project Overview:
Background:
Land surface properties, such as topography, and soil moisture content, influence land-atmosphere (L-A) energy and moisture exchange. Moreover, alterations in land surface characteristics can have far-reaching consequences, impacting the water cycle, air quality, and the frequency/severity of natural disasters, all of which significantly affect human well-being. Consequently, improving understanding of these L-A interactions, is of paramount importance when addressing critical societal concerns such as food and water security-which are exacerbated by ongoing climate change, and enhances our ability to predict weather and climate patterns.
The L-A interactions for the Andes-Amazon transitional region is particularly intricate and important. As the largest contiguous forest ecosystem on the planet, the Amazon Forest plays a crucial role as a significant source of heat and moisture for atmospheric circulation. Moreover, the transport of Amazon evapotranspiration by the South American Low-Level Jet is essential for generating precipitation to the east of the tropical Andes. The intricate and unique L-A interactions within Andes-Amazon play a critical role in the management of Andean water resources.
Objectives:
1. Undertake comparative analysis of existing Convection-Permitting Climate Model (CPCM) simulations, and evaluate model performances over the Andes-Amazon.
2. Conduct new model simulations, with altered land-use-land-change (LULC) of deforestation/reforestation.
3. Quantify how LULCs alter L-A interactions.
4. Investigate the impacts of changing L-A interactions on water resources in the Andes-Amazon.
Novelty and Timeliness:
Recent observational and modelling advancements provide unique resources and opportunities to study L-A interactions over Andes-Amazon, especially the development of high-resolution CPCMs, with improved representation of shallow groundwater dynamics, surface energy fluxes, and convection. The stores of water in snow and glaciers of the tropical Andes are vital for managing water resources and ensuring regional water security. Given the ongoing depletion of these stores of water in this already fragile region, it becomes crucial to comprehend how LULC in the Andes-Amazon region (resulting from climate change and human activities) impact local water resources.
We are looking for a candidate who is highly motivated, with a background in climate science, demonstrable ability of quantitative analysis and communication skills, some experience of programming (e.g., Python, R, Matlab). Knowledge and experience with high performing computing environments, experience with running numerical models, and understanding of land-atmosphere feedback are desirable but not essential.
How to Apply
Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/.
All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.
The proforma is available here.
Part-Time Study Options
All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.
Project CASE Status
This project is a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-6 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations. Your CASE partner will also contribute an additional £1000 per year to your Research and Training Support Grant.
Funding Information
NERC ACCE+ DLA programme starts from October 2025.
UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:
• Stipend (2024/25 UKRI rate £19,237)
• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2024/25 rate £4,786)
• Research support and training grant (RTSG)
Note – UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees. The DLA partners have various schemes which allow international students to join the DLA but only be required to pay home fees. Home fees are already covered in the UKRI funding, meaning that successful international candidates do not need to find any additional funding for fees.
International candidates should ensure that they have sufficient funds to pay for a UK student visa, NHS health surcharge fees and travel expenses to the UK, if they are successfully offered a studentship following a formal interview. These costs are not covered by ACCE+
Closing date for all applications is Wednesday 8th January 2025
