Antarctic glacial meltwater and its importance for ocean circulation and climate (SHEEHAN_UEA_ARIES27)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 16 December 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Competition funded project (Students worldwide)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time or Part-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Dr Peter Sheehan
Scientific background
West Antarctica’s fast-melting ice shelves release fresh water into the shelf seas that surround the continent (Sheehan et al., 2023). This alters circumpolar and global ocean currents by affecting temperatures and salt concentrations; it can even alter the ocean’s structure in a way that accelerates melting (Flexas et al., 2022). Our understanding of where the meltwater goes and the processes that determine this is poor – particularly because measurements in key regions have been very hard to obtain. You will uncover where this meltwater is going and why, helping to improve predictions of how it will influence global ocean circulation and ice shelf melting in the coming decades.
Methodology
You will analyse new and historical measurements of ocean properties collected by ships, profiling floats, tagged seals and UEA’s fleet of ocean gliders – underwater robots equipped for taking measurements in remote locations – to detect and quantify meltwater flows in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. You will develop the oceanographic understanding necessary to investigate the processes that control these flows, and you will use output from state-of-the-art ocean models to investigate how and why these processes change over years and decades.
Training
You will gain a thorough training in physical oceanography, including ice-ocean interactions and Big-Data science. You will be encouraged to apply for courses such as the FDSE fluid dynamics summer school. We anticipate that you will have the opportunity to participate in a Southern Ocean cruise to gain sea-going experience (subject to medical), and to deploy ocean gliders as part of your own research. You will gain skills in marine autonomy and robotics, including glider deployments, mission design and glider piloting. You will learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly, including by interacting with national and international collaborators on the NERC-funded BELLISSIMO project. The project will equip you for a wide variety of careers, e.g. ocean/climate research, marine industries and consultancy.
Personal specification
You will be keen to learn about ocean physics and will have studied natural sciences, physics, mathematics, oceanography, meteorology or environmental sciences. You will have good numerical and computational skills.
Entry Requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions(opens in a new window). Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion(opens in a new window) 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.
After submitting their application for the relevant ARIES project(s), applicants are expected to complete the ARIES Equality and Diversity Form Applicants - 2027 Entry – Fill in form(opens in a new window).One form is required per application, so applicants applying to more than one project must complete a separate form for each.
Please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk(opens in a new window) for further information.
References
Sheehan et al, 2023. Sources and pathways of glacial meltwater in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2023GL102785. DOI: 10.1029/2023GL102785
Flexas, … Sheehan et al, 2024. Pathways of inter-basin exchange from the Bellingshausen Sea to the Amundsen Sea. DOI: 10.1029/2023JC020080
Richter et al, 2025. Observations of turbulent mixing in the Dotson Ice Shelf cavity, Ocean Science, 21, 3341 – 3359. DOI: 10.5194/os-21-3341-2025
Flexas et al, 2022. Antarctic Peninsula warming triggers enhanced basal melt rates throughout West Antarctica, Science Advances, 8, eabj9134. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9134
Thompson et al, 2020. Genesis of the Antarctic Slope Current in West Antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters, 47, e2020GL087802. 10.1029/2020GL087802