PhD Studentship: The Stability of East Antarctica’s “weak underbelly” from Data and Modelling

The University of Exeter’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by the Royal Society and the University of Exeter to commence on 23 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,034 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

The biggest unknown in future sea level projections is how the Antarctic Ice Sheet will change as the climate warms. Antarctica has the largest body of ice on Earth, enough to raise sea level by 58 metres if completely melted. This is very unlikely to occur and would take many thousands of years, however there are parts of the ice sheet that we are more concerned about and could raise sea level more quickly. These parts sit on land that is far below sea level in subglacial basins, some of which are vulnerable to a warming ocean. Two of the largest are the Wilkes Subglacial Basin and the Aurora Subglacial Basin (ASB) in East Antarctica. Ice from the ASB ice flows to the ocean via the Denman and Totten Glaciers. If these glaciers retreat enough, then there could be a runaway collapse into the basin, raising sea level by around 5 m. To try and find out how likely this is and under what level of warming, this PhD project will investigate the geological past to find out how the ice sheet changed when the climate was warmer than present.

The PhD project will involve both computer modelling and geochemical analysis. As part of this PhD project, you will work with two ice sheet models to explore the conditions under which collapse of ice into the East Antarctic subglacial basins can occur. The results of these experiments will be compared with paleoclimate proxies for key past warm intervals (Pleistocene interglacials, Miocene) with potential retreat into the subglacial basins. In addition to comparing with existing published records you will have to opportunity to produce new data to determine the source of sediment eroded and transported by the ice sheet, using isotope geochemistry.

The award will provide funding for a 3-month research visit to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Sciences in Tasmania to collaborate with Dr Taryn Noble and the potential to join an Antarctic research cruise during austral summer 2026. Note that participation in the research cruise is not a requirement for successful completion of the PhD nor can participation be guaranteed.

Previous experience of computer programming would be highly advantageous, although training can be provided. This project will involve considerable computer work so an aptitude and desire for this type of working is essential.

This award provides annual funding to cover Home or International tuition fees in full and a tax-free stipend of at least £20,034 per year.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 14th July 2024. Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in the week commencing 29th July 24.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers). Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.

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