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
Our new observations include two moored time series that provide ~2-year records (2018-2020 and 2023-2025) of temperature, salinity and velocity variations throughout the water column at one location in a standing meander of the Polar Front south of Australia. Two comprehensive shipboard surveys, EM-APEX profiling floats and glider observations provide snapshots of the 3-dimensional structure of the meander. Our collaborators have an additional large array of moorings nearby and we will work with them to incorporate their measurements in our study. Cross-stream fluxes and vertical velocity can be estimated from these tall mooring time series (Phillips and Rintoul 2000; Phillips and Bindoff 2014; Watts et al. 2016). These represent the gold-standard for measuring eddy heat fluxes in the ocean and we will use this information to develop novel methods to estimate eddy heat flux from EM-APEX floats. This will require investigation of the physical mechanisms responsible for cross-frontal exchange captured in the observations, and that are possibly present in the model. The analysis will be extended to all historical moored time series in the Southern Ocean that are suitable for estimating heat flux by the ocean. This project will contribute to understanding the mechanisms that drive cross-frontal exchange in distinct hotspots characterised by standing meanders and a turbulent eddy field, and contrasting quiet zones along the circumpolar path of the ACC.
Aims/Objectives
- Apply established methods to quality control the Polar Front mooring time series and calculate heat and salt fluxes and vertical velocity from the data.
- Contribute to development of methods to estimate heat and salt fluxes from EM-APEX profiling floats, incorporating other data sets (satellite fields, climatologies, other in situ observations) as needed.
- Quantify localized cross-frontal heat and salt fluxes from the observations and corroborate them with next-generation, high-resolution ocean model simulations in the meander south of Australia.
- Use all historical moored time series and EM-APEX to quantify observed fluxes around the circumpolar belt and reconcile with model estimates.
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Primary Supervisor
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend funded by ARC 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 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 (QMS) Program.
If successful, international applicants will also 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 Dr Annie Foppert 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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