NERC GW4+ DTP PhD Studentship: Atmospheric Waves from Antarctic Mountains, Islands and Oceans from the Surface to the Edge of Space

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 of 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 about the programme, please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/.

Supervisory team -

Main Supervisor: Prof Nicholas Mitchell, Centre for Space, Atmospheric & Oceanic Science, Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, the University of Bath
Co-Supervisor: Dr Tracy Moffat-Griffin, Atmosphere, Ice & Climate Team, British Antarctic Survey

Project background -

Atmospheric gravity waves, analogous to ocean waves, can be generated by winds blowing over mountains, by storms and by unstable jet streams. They are critical in transporting energy and momentum between the layers of the atmosphere. However, despite their importance, computer models for weather prediction and climate research struggle to represent them accurately. The problem is severe at latitudes near 60°S and in the Antarctic. Here, we will use sophisticated radars and a powerful new 3D technique applied to NASA satellite data. We will measure waves in the intense wave “hot spot” of the stratosphere and mesosphere over the mountains of the Andes and Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean and the mountainous island of South Georgia. We will investigate the sources and variability of the waves and determine their contribution to the coupling of atmospheric layers. Our results will help develop the next generation of computer models.

Project aims and methods -

The student will join a lively team of researchers at Bath and The British Antarctic Survey. We will use two exciting new sources of measurements of gravity waves to determine the variability, fluxes and sources of gravity waves. In particular, we will determine the relative fluxes of waves from mountains, storms over the Southern Ocean and instabilities in the polar jet streams.

In the stratosphere we will apply a new world-leading 3D satellite analysis technique we have developed at Bath which gives us, for the first time, the ability to image individual gravity waves in 3D using the AIRS instrument on the NASA Aqua satellite. We will use this to identify thousands of waves around 60°S. We will investigate these waves and determine their properties and sources.

In the mesosphere we will make measurements of waves with meteor radars, including a sophisticated new system on South Georgia. The radars work by detecting the drifting of meteor trails as they are carried by the flow at altitudes near 90 km – effectively the edge of space. We will use these radars to investigate suggestions that waves from mountains can ascend to these great heights where they may significantly influence the global circulation.

Candidate -

Applicants must have or expect to receive a good degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology or engineering. No prior knowledge of atmospheric physic is necessary, as 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]).

Training -

Full training in essential research skills will be provided through Bath’s comprehensive Doctoral College programme and the courses offered by the Bath/Bristol/Cardiff/Exeter NERC GW4+ DTP. Further, the student will attend the month-long European Research Course on Atmospheres held in Grenoble in France and the UK atmospheric science courses organised by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, which cover subjects such as scientific computing, atmospheric science, practical fieldwork, the MetOffice Unified Model and climate modelling. The student will present their work at national meetings and at international conferences, most likely in the USA, such as the American Geophysical Union.

Anticipated start date: 1 October 2018

Candidates should apply using the University of Bath’s online application form selecting PhD programme in Electronic & Electrical Engineering https://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/applications.pl#elec-eng

For more information on the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at Bath, visit http://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/faculty-of-engineering-design/