PhD Studentship: Wave-induced transport and maritime pollution

Wave-induced transport and maritime pollution

Lead Supervisor (DoS): Dr Raphael Stuhlmeier

Second Supervisor: Professor Henrik Kalisch

Third Supervisor: Professor Alison Raby

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1^st October 2025.

This project is one of nine topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining three following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics.

Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Project Description

This project will advance our understanding of wave-driven particle transport in the ocean by combining mathematical modelling, flume experiments, and numerical simulation. It will provide valuable insight into the underlying equations that describe particle movement on and under waves, contributing to our understanding of the dispersion of ocean pollutants such as microplastics and harmful bacteria. These findings will be critical for improving particle-tracking and other predictive models and informing future efforts to mitigate ocean pollution.

The first part of the project will explore the mathematical foundations of particle motion beneath waves. While approximations to the so-called Stokes drift exist for waves of small steepness, there is a need for new theory that encompasses more realistic sea states. This includes the study of hitherto neglected effects, such as surface tension, which play an important role for the motion of microplastics. The mathematical formulations developed will be tested in flume experiments in Plymouth’s COAST Lab. This will allow for verification of the theory and the incorporation of novel physical mechanisms. Subsequently, the developed formulations will be incorporated into open-source particle tracking codes (such as PyLag or OpenDrift), where they will be compared with existing benchmarks. Depending on the background of the successful candidate, there may be scope to employ the open source PySINDy code to identify novel governing equations for floating tracers using novel machine learning techniques.

The candidate will gain broad expertise across a wide range of fluid mechanics research, from fundamental mathematical modelling, through flume experiments and numerical simulations. These complementary approaches shed light on different aspects of wave-induced particle transport, provide a holistic view of the subject, and open up numerous career paths in academic and industry.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Raphael Stuhlmeier.

For further information on Eligibility and Funding, please click on the links below: 

• Eligibility
• Funding

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.  

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and the studentship that you are applying for at the top of your personal statement. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3^rd February 2025.

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