Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 October 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
The Antarctic margin is changing rapidly as the climate warms with potentially global consequences. Sea ice cover has declined precipitously since 2016, reaching a record low in 2023. The Antarctic ice sheet is losing mass, most notably in West Antarctica but also in key basins in East Antarctica previously considered stable, including the Denman Glacier. These changes in ice are expected to impact the marine biogeochemical cycles of iron, manganese, silica and carbon but quantifying the impact is hampered by a lack of field observations, particularly from east Antarctica. For example, the more favourable light environment afforded by decreased ice cover should promote greater primary production, which should favour greater carbon and silica export and burial. Yet sea ice and glacial ice are also an important source of micronutrients to this iron (and potentially manganese) limited ecosystem; does this mean iron limitation will increase in a warmer world? The seafloor is another source of trace metals to the water column, releasing soluble metals from sediment pore waters, or resuspending sediment containing easily dissolved, reactive metals. The benthic source, and its delivery to surface waters, is in turn linked to ice delivering continental material, circulation mixing the water upward, and productivity producing reducing conditions conducive to benthic flux. These linkages present multiple opportunities for climate feedbacks. The strength and nature of these linkages will determine whether the Antarctic margin becomes a stronger or weaker sink for carbon and silica in a warming world, with implications for the global cycles of these important elements.
This project will use samples collected from a 2025 voyage to the Denman Glacier region, East Antarctica. Analysis of trace metals, carbon and silica in sediment and sediment pore waters will be combined with water column measurements and radionuclide approaches to quantifying fluxes under a range of ice conditions.
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Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Critical thinking skills
- Relevant science degree with chemistry and/or geoscience
- Good communication (writing, oral)
- Good quantitative skills
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Chemical laboratory experience
- Basic coding
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Prof Zanna Chase to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 October 2024.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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