Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
The Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) is the region of sea ice impacted by its proximity to the open ocean processes. Around Antarctica, the MIZ occupies a region around 100-200 km wide where sea ice borders the open ocean. In the MIZ, waves from the ocean penetrate into (and are attenuated by) sea ice. As such, the MIZ is a dynamic region of intensive wave-ocean-ice-atmosphere interaction.
The extent of and variability within the MIZ are thought to be drivers of recent trends in Antarctic sea-ice extent, including the dramatic decline since 2015. However, research is held back by our current inability to assess the MIZ on a large scale from satellite data. Recently, satellite altimeters (both laser and radar) have been demonstrated to successfully retrieve the wave-affected MIZ around Antarctica, but the applications of these new techniques have yet to be fully validated and applications to be explored.
This PhD project will advance our knowledge by:
- Refining detection algorithms of Antarctic MIZ width using laser and radar altimeters, including building a long-term MIZ time series
- Identifying rapid sea-ice retreat and correlate these with storms and associated waves/swell
- Using our new dataset to derive novel knowledge of sea-ice physical properties in the Antarctic MIZ
- Use other datasets in conjunction with the wave-affected MIZ width to identify the physical processes occurring in the MIZ
- Work within a team (including modellers) to advance the state of MIZ representation in numerical models.
Explore more Antarctic and Southern Ocean projects
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 $33,511 per annum (2025 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.
Additional funding
If successful, applicants will also receive a top-up scholarship of $7,000 per annum for 3 years.
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:
- An Honours or Masters degree in geophysics or a related field
- Strong mathematics and physics background
- Demonstrated experience with programming to support scientific analysis
- An ability to drive world-leading research on our changing climate
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Remote sensing experience - particularly with satellite altimetry
- Python programming experience
- Sea ice research experience
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Alex Fraser 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 February 2025.
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.
Apply now Explore other projects
Why the University of Tasmania?
Worldwide reputation for research excellence
Quality supervision and support
