Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$33,511pa + Top-Up $6,000pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
In parallel with the observational analysis, we will use numerical models to investigate the larger spatial patterns of heat and salt fluxes across the ACC. Australia's community global 0.1-degree ocean model ACCESS (Kiss et al. 2019) will allow further investigation of the mechanisms that lead drive eddy heat fluxes across the ACC. We will use a nested-model technique to embed an ultra-high-resolution model within the 0.1-degree ACCESS model to resolve small-scale processes and investigate the influence of different observational techniques on estimates of eddy heat flux. Higher resolutions, including 1/20 and 1/40-degree in ACCESS-OM3, will likely be available during the student's candidature. We will also use the SatGEM-2 (Wyatt et al., in review), an observation-based product that combines sea surface height data with historical in-situ data to create 3-D time-varying ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity fields.
Aims/Objectives
- Quantify spatial and temporal variability of poleward heat and salt fluxes in a high-resolution ocean-sea-ice models (ACCESS-OM2-01 and the MOM6 regional nesting suite) using standard approaches (e.g. Dufour et al. 2015).
- Calculate 30-years of eddy heat and salt flux time series using SatGEM-2 (Wyatt et al., in review), to investigate spatial patterns in eddy heat flux hotspots to find trends and variability in those fluxes.
- Use machine learning techniques to emulate ocean heat and salt transport in high-resolution ACCESS-OM3 ocean model simulations of historical and future climate scenarios (e.g. https://github.com/PaulSpence/OM2-emulator).
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Primary Supervisor
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511paper 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 be considered for a top-up scholarship of $6,000 per annum for 3.5 years. This scholarship is funded from the Quantitative Marine Science Program (QMS).
If successful, international applicants will receive single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC), funded by the QMS Program.
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.
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:
- This is a highly quantitative investigation, requiring an excellent knowledge of fundamental maths and physics, strong data analysis and computational skills.
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Ideally, the student would have an understanding of southern hemisphere physical oceanography.
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Prof Helen Phillips 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.
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