Understanding how the Antarctic Ice Sheets control the climate of Antarctica (Advert Reference: RDF18/GES/ROBERTS)

This project will unravel the details of how the shape of the Antarctic Ice Sheets influenced the climate over Antarctica during the last ice age.

One of the key predictions of coupled climate models is “polar amplification”, the idea that when the planet warms or cools as a whole, the polar regions warm or cool more than the rest of the planet. Understanding the amplitude of this effect tells us much about the interaction of various feedbacks in the climate system. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), has been used as a test case for understanding polar amplification because of a relatively large number of climate proxy records of the period; a large number of coupled climate model simulations have also been made of this era. The modelling results, however, show that in Antarctica exactly how much and where the temperature changed depends upon the shape of the ice sheets. Since we do not know exactly what the shape of the ice sheets were at the LGM it is difficult to understand whether any of the mismatch that is seen between the models and the observations is due to failings in the models or an incorrect ice sheet topography. In this project you shall assess how the ice sheet topography affects the climate over Antarctica at the LGM to better understand this second effect.

Using different reconstructions of the ice sheet topography and a hierarchy of climate models you will investigate how these ice sheets affect climate variables such as temperature, winds, cloudiness or energy fluxes. Comparing the results of these model simulations with temperature and ice core oxygen isotope records from around the continent you will gain an understanding of what shape of the ice sheet can best fit these observations and, crucially, why. You will thus be able to assess which of the ice sheets are most consistent with the observed climate. By understanding the processes which alter the climate, you will be able to apply the lessons learned in this project to other periods when the Antarctic ice sheets were different to today.

The student will work with Dr. William Roberts and Prof. John Woodward in the Department of Geography & Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University and Prof Eric Steig at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA. Modelling will be conducted using the UK Met Office's Unified Model. A student with strong numerical skills and experience of analysing large, multi-dimensional, data sets using software such as python, MATLAB, R or ncl would be well suited for this project. Experience of scripting in a unix shell environment using bash, perl or equivalent is essential. Experience of using complex numerical models would be desirable though not essential. An undergraduate degree in the physical sciences or mathematics is essential.

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.