Wind-wave-ocean eddy interactions: unravelling coupled processes at the air-sea interface (ZHAIX_U26ENVTS)
Key details
- Application deadline
- 22 July 2026 (midnight UK time)
- Start date
- 1 October 2026
- Location
- UEA
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Funding type
- Competition funded project (Home students only)
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Dr Tristan Sjoeberg Postgraduate Scholarship
Primary supervisor - Dr Xiaoming Zhai(opens in a new window)
Scientific background
The exchange of momentum, heat, freshwater and carbon between the atmosphere and ocean is fundamental to the Earth's climate system, regulating ocean circulation, weather patterns and climate variability on regional and global scales. These exchanges are strongly influenced by interactions between surface winds, ocean waves and surface currents, particularly those associated with ocean eddies – energetic swirling currents that span tens to hundreds of kilometres. Despite their importance, many of the processes governing these interactions remain poorly understood and are inadequately represented in current climate and Earth system models, limiting our ability to accurately simulate and predict future changes in ocean circulation, heat uptake and carbon storage.
Research Project
This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to investigate how interactions between winds, surface waves and ocean eddies regulate the transfer of momentum across the air–sea interface and quantify its impact on the ocean. The successful candidate will combine the analysis of state-of-the-art satellite observations and in situ measurements with high-resolution coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean model simulations to advance our understanding of coupled atmosphere-ocean processes. The project will address key scientific questions such as:
How do ocean eddies modify surface winds and wave fields?
How do interactions between winds, surface waves and ocean eddies regulate the transfer of momentum from the atmosphere into the ocean?
How do these interactions affect the evolution and energetics of ocean eddies?
How can representations of air-sea interactions be improved in climate models?
By combining observational and modelling approaches, this project will provide new insights into a fundamental but poorly represented component of the climate system.
Training
You will join a vibrant and supportive research group at the University of East Anglia, working closely with experts in physical oceanography, air-sea interaction and climate modelling. The project will provide you with comprehensive training in air-sea interaction, ocean physics and numerical modelling. You will be encouraged to develop and test your own ideas and hypotheses. There will be opportunities to attend training courses and summer schools, present your work at national and international conferences, and engage with a broad network of collaborators. There may also be opportunities to participate in observational field campaigns and gain first-hand experience of collecting oceanographic measurements.
Person specification
We seek an enthusiastic candidate with strong scientific interests and self-motivation. They will have a degree in physics, mathematics, oceanography, meteorology, or a related science with good computing and numerical skills.
Shortlisting and interviews will take place shortly after the application deadline, with outcomes communicated to successful candidates by 14 August 2026. Applicants who have not heard by this date should assume that their application has not been taken forward on this occasion.
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in physics, mathematics, oceanography, meteorology or a related science with good computing and numerical skills.
Funding
This project is in a competition for a funded studentship and is open to Home applicants only. Funding covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend (£21,805 in 2026/27) and an annual research and training allowance of £4,000.
References
i) Ardhuin, F., and Coauthors (2017) Small-scale open ocean currents have large effects on wind wave heights, Journal of Geophysical Research, 122, 4500-4517.
ii) Iyer, S., J. Thomson, E. Thompson, and K. Drushka (2022) Variations in wave slope and momentum flux from wave-current interactions in the tropical trade winds, Journal of Geophysical Research, 127, e2021JC018003.
iii) Edson, J. B., and Coauthors (2013) On the exchange of momentum over the open ocean, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 43, 1589-1610.
iv) Cook, P. A., and I. A. Renfrew (2015) Aircraft-based observations of air-sea turbulent fluxes around the British Isles, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 141, 139-152.
v) Xu, C., X. Zhai, and X.-D. Shang (2016) Work done by atmospheric winds on mesoscale ocean eddies, Geophysical Research Letters, 43, doi:10.1002/2016GL071275.