Project Description

Primary Supervisor - Professor Corinne Le Quéré

Marine ecosystems are highly sensitive to the rapid physical reorganisation of the ocean under climate change. Large-scale circulation changes, including a weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and strengthening in Southern Ocean upwelling, combined with increasing surface ocean stratification, are altering light and nutrient availability and modulating phytoplankton growth (Guest et al. 2026). With turnover times of around one week, marine ecosystems respond almost instantaneously to these physical changes. This PhD will investigate how ecosystem functional groups and trophic structure reorganise as ocean circulation changes (Xue et al. 2024), and determine the implications for the ocean carbon storage (Jarníková et al. 2025). It will thus contribute to understanding the interactions between marine biodiversity and climate change (Le Quéré and Mayot, 2022).

This PhD will combine observational analysis with modelling studies. Observational analysis will examine satellite data, in situ observations and paleo reconstructions, to assess recent shifts in large-scale marine ecosystems. The modelling work will use NEMO-PlankTOM global ocean biogeochemistry model (Le Quéré et al. 2016). The PhD candidate will design, set up and run model simulations to explore ecosystem responses to circulation changes over multiple centuries (e.g. from 1800 to 2300), their coherence with observational signals, and implications for ocean carbon storage.

The PhD candidate will be part of UEA’s Greenocean research group and benefit from international collaborations. The candidate will receive specific training in ocean ecosystem modelling, AI-based code development and data analysis, and access to UEA-led courses including on python, Linux, High-Performance Computing, and data/code sharing with GitHub. They will have opportunities to attend relevant summer schools. They will acquire valuable transferable skills including Data Analysis and Management, Computer Programming and Modelling, Systems Thinking, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Scientific Communication, Collaboration and Networking, opening opportunities in academic and non-academic careers.

This project is particularly suited for candidates with first degrees in any sciences and an interest in marine ecosystems and climate change. Individuals with experience in applied mathematics, computer programming and a particular interest in modelling and/or machine learning are encouraged to apply.

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

Guest, J., M.-F. Racault, C. Le Quéré (2026). Global drivers of phytoplankton phenology trends. Global Change Biology, 32, e70955. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70955

Jarnikova, T., Le Quéré, C., Rumbold, S., & Jones, C. (2025). Decreasing importance of carbon-climate feedbacks in the Southern Ocean in a warming climate. Science Advances, 11(20), eadr3589. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr3589

Le Quéré, C., & Mayot, N. (2022). Climate change and biospheric output. Science, 375(6585), 1091--1092. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo1262

Le Quéré, C., Buitenhuis, E. T., Moriarty, R., Alvain, S., Aumont, O., Bopp, L., Chollet, S., Enright, C., Franklin, D. J., Geider, R. J., Harrison, S. P., Hirst, A. G., Larsen, S., Legendre, L., Platt, T., Prentice, I. C., Rivkin, R. B., Sailley, S., Sathyendranath, S., … Vallina, S. M. (2016). Role of zooplankton dynamics for Southern Ocean phytoplankton biomass and global biogeochemical cycles. Biogeosciences, 13(14), 4111–4133. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-4111-2016

IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: Chapter 5: Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities Bindoff, N.L., W.W.L. Cheung, J.G. Kairo, J. Arístegui, V.A. Guinder, R. Hallberg, N. Hilmi, N. Jiao, M.S. Karim, L. Levin, S. O’Donoghue, S.R. Purca Cuicapusa, B. Rinkevich, T. Suga, A. Tagliabue, and P. Williamson: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157964.007

Ecosystem responses to changes in ocean circulation (LE QUERE_UEA_ARIES27)

Welcome to Norwich

Project Description

Entry Requirements

Funding

References