PhD Studentship: Impacts of Upwelling and Internal Waves on Deep-Water Coral Reefs around the Galapagos Archipelago

Scientific background: 

The Galapagos archipelago is a hotspot of biodiversity and hosts one of the worlds’ largest marine reserves, including pristine deep-water coral reefs. The rich ecosystem is sustained by a dynamic current system, air-sea interactions, and flow-topographic interactions around the multiple islands and seamounts. One critical process is upwelling, driven by local winds, which brings nutrient-rich deep water into the photic zone, fuelling phytoplankton growth. A second important process is the generation and breaking of internal waves. These large-amplitude waves in the ocean’s interior have recently been observed in the region and are thought to enhance the upward flux of nutrients around the seamounts. However, due to a sparsity of data, we do not understand how these local-scale processes are influenced by global-scale weather systems (e.g. El Niño and the Madden-Julian Oscillation), or how they impact the ecosystem at reef scales.  

Research methodology: 

During this project you will use a unique, recently collected oceanographic dataset to investigate the critical physical processes that sustain the rich Galapagos ecosystem, from global-scale weather systems down to reef-scale hydrodynamics. Analysis of the observations will be supported by a global reanalysis model and idealised 2-D numerical model simulations. 

Project objectives: 

1) Determine how global-scale weather systems influence ocean circulation and upwelling around the Galapagos Islands. 

2) Investigate how flow over the seamounts generates internal waves and where these waves eventually break. 

3) Assess how circulation around the archipelago impacts the distribution and health of deep-water coral reefs. 

Training: 

You will develop highly sought-after expertise in oceanography, meteorology and numerical modelling and be trained in advanced methods for data processing, analysis and visualisation. You will collaborate with leading UK and international marine scientists and present your research at conferences and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a research cruise to gain first-hand experience in observational oceanography. 

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in a Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography, Meteorology, Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering.

Start Date

1 October 2025

Additional Funding Information

ARIES is awaiting confirmation of funding under the BBSRC-NERC DLA award scheme, which is expected shortly. Funding for this studentship is subject to this confirmation and UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded ARIES studentship of fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research costs. 

A limited number of ARIES studentships are available to International applicants. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK. 

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, and transgender status. Projects have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, with equal weighting given to experience and potential. 

For further information, please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk 

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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