NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship: Dynamics of the Antarctic Stratosphere & Mesosphere

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University Exeter plus six Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Met Office, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details, see https://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

Supervisory team –

Lead Supervisor: Professor Nick Mitchell, University of Bath, Centre for Space, Atmospheric & Oceanic Science, Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering

Co-Supervisor: Dr Tracy Moffat-Griffin, Deputy Science Leader, Ice & Climate, British Antarctic Survey

Project background -

The mesosphere/lower-thermosphere (MLT) region of the atmosphere at heights of about 80 – 100 km is critical in the coupling of the atmosphere and space environment. MLT dynamics are dominated by planetary waves, tides and gravity waves of large amplitude. Physical processes shape the ascending field of MLT waves and tides, thus controlling the coupling of the atmosphere to near-Earth space. Conversely, the MLT responds to solar variability and may mediate this signal into lower-atmosphere climate. These processes are particularly important in the Antarctic regions, where strong vertical connections take place. However, the physical mechanisms involved remain poorly understood.

Here, we will use sophisticated radars, imagers and NASA satellites to answer fundamental questions about Antarctic MLT dynamics. We will investigate whether atmospheric tides raised by the Moon act to transmit the influence of dramatic sudden stratospheric warmings into near-Earth space, we will combine complementary radar, imager and satellite data to determine the coupling between gravity waves and planetary waves/tides and we will investigate if the Antarctic MLT responds to solar variability.

Project aims and methods -

You will join a lively team of researchers at Bath and the British Antarctic Survey. We will use exciting new data available from meteor radars located at Rothera in the Antarctic, on the isolated mountainous island of South Georgia and in Tierra del Fuego. The radars measure MLT winds by detecting the drifting of meteor trails carried by the flow at heights of 80-100 km – effectively the edge of space. We will combine these unique data with data from optical imagers and global observations from MLS on the NASA Aura satellite to investigate key problems in MLT science:

1. We will determine the climatology, variability, fluxes and coupling of the planetary waves, gravity waves and tides of the MLT over Rothera, South Georgia and Tierra del Fuego and investigate how they influence the global circulation.

2. We will determine the response of the lunar tide in the Antarctic MLT to sudden stratospheric warmings in the Arctic and investigate if and how this response propagates to the near-Earth space environment.

3. We will exploit the unique extended data set available from Rothera to determine if and how the Antarctic MLT responds to the 11-year cycle in solar variability.

There is considerable scope for the student to take the project in new and exciting directions. There will be strong international collaboration with groups in the US, Australia and Europe.

Candidate -

Applicants must have or expect to receive a good degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology or engineering. No prior knowledge of atmospheric physics is necessary and suitable training will be provided. Applicants should first contact Prof Nicholas Mitchell who will be happy to discuss the project in full (email: [Email Address Removed]).

Applications –

Candidates should apply using the relevant University of Bath online application form:
https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUEE-FP01&code2=0013

When completing the form, please state in the ‘Finance’ section that you wish to be considered for GW4+ DTP funding and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. You may apply for more than one project if you wish but you should submit a separate personal statement for each one.

More information on how to apply may be found here:
https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/

Anticipated start date: 30 September 2019.