PhD Studentship: Exploring the Extreme Venus Climate and Hot Terrestrial Exoplanets

Project title: Exploring the Extreme Venus Climate and Hot Terrestrial Exoplanets  

Supervisory Team: Joao M. Mendonca

Dr. João M. Mendonça invites applications for a 4-year PhD research position in computational modelling of planetary climates. The successful applicant will join the new research group in planetary sciences at the University of Southampton. Thanks to the successful Horizon Europe Guarantee grant, the group will soon grow to 8 members (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FZ00330X%2F1).

Project description

Simulating the Venus climate has been a challenge for the scientific community for over four decades. Venus, the planet in the Solar System most similar to Earth in terms of mass and size, has a massive CO₂ atmosphere that creates extremely harsh conditions on its surface. The planet is completely covered by clouds containing a mixture of sulphuric acid and water droplets. Venus's unique conditions provide an opportunity to test our computational models under extreme circumstances. Venus's atmospheric circulation exhibits poorly understood physical dynamic features, such as super-rotation, where the atmosphere rotates much faster than the solid planet, and the rapidly changing polar vortex. Understanding the physics behind Venus's climate is crucial for characterizing the climate of potential exoplanets similar to Venus.

The student will use a cutting-edge computational model of planetary climates (OASIS) to create 3D simulations of Venus and Venus-like atmospheres that go beyond the current state of the art. The student will have access to high-performance computing facilities at Southampton, opportunities to engage in international collaborations, visits to other research groups abroad, and to acquire new skills in modern high-performance computing techniques for simulating the fundamental physics of planetary climates.

In this project, the student will: a) Investigate the role of clouds in driving observed dynamical features in the atmosphere, such as super-rotation and polar vortex; b) Analyze results from simulations with unprecedently high spatial resolution; c) Explore 3D simulations of exoplanets with astronomical parameters resembling Venus conditions and develop tools for characterizing the atmosphere of these planets using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr. Joao M. Mendonca, Astronomy Research Group, Email: j.mendonca@soton.ac.uk.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 30 March 2025.  Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online:  Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) Select programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Physics (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Joao M. Mendonca

Applications should include:

Research statement

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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