PhD Studentship: Viral Epidemic of Marine Plankton and Its Influence on The Ocean Carbon Cycle

Primary Supervisor - Dr Marie-Fanny Racault 

Scientific background:  

Marine ecosystems play a key role in regulating the Earth's climate and live largely at the ocean’s surface. Their activities are regulated through environmental conditions and mortality processes such as grazing by zooplankton and lysis by viruses. These processes generate a flux of carbon between the ocean surface and the deep ocean, so-called carbon export flux, that modulates atmospheric CO2 in the long-term. In this process, phytoplankton bloom events play a disproportionate role for carbon export, yet little is known on the role of viral epidemics in influencing the duration and (often abrupt) termination of blooms. The most recent global observations reveal that viral epidemics could have an important impact on blooms of phytoplankton in the ocean and related carbon export (Guidi et al., 2016), but the extent of their influence, the triggers and underlying processes have not been elucidated. 

Research methodology:  

This PhD project aims to characterise the role of viral epidemics on the dynamic of plankton bloom events over the global ocean. This includes identifying the drivers of viral epidemics during bloom events, and determining their importance for triggering extreme carbon export events and influencing the ocean carbon cycle. The PhD candidate will examine phytoplankton mortality events using new marine observations such as satellite data (Racault et al 2017), in-situ measurements of viral abundance (Xie et al., 2021), imaging and genomics observation of open ocean diversity (Kaneko et al., 2021), to investigate the environmental and ecosystem processes driving the regional and temporal variations in the observed plankton mortalities using both machine-learning techniques and theoretical understanding. The candidate will work to improve the representation of virus-host bloom dynamics in the PlankTOM global marine ecosystem model, and use the model to explore virus-mediated interactions between marine ecosystems and climate change.  

Training:  

The PhD candidate will be part of a dynamic research group and contribute to the development of a cutting-edge model of the ocean carbon cycle used for understanding the role of marine ecosystems in regulating climate and the Earth System. The successful candidate will receive specific training (e.g. analysis and execution of ocean ecosystem model simulations, UEA-led courses on Linux and High Performance Computers, Summer school focused short course on a topic relevant to the PhD) and have opportunities to interact with an international group of experts and attend Greenocean workshops. The project is expected to provide the PhD candidate with highly valuable transferable skills across various fields, including Data Analysis and Management, Computer Programming and Modelling, Systems Thinking, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Scientific Communication, Collaboration and Networking, which can open up opportunities in both academic and non-academic careers.  

Funding Details

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.

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