The role of the atmosphere in sea ice

The role of the atmosphere in Antarctic Sea Ice Change

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 June 2025

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic

About the research project

Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in regulating global climate, influencing ocean circulation, and supporting marine ecosystems. Recent decades have witnessed significant changes in Antarctic sea-ice extent while changes in other sea-ice properties including its thickness are not well known. There are complex implications for regional and global climate from changing ice cover. While oceanographic processes are known to influence sea-ice variability, atmospheric processes, including changes in atmospheric circulation, temperature, and precipitation, also play a critical role.

This PhD project aims to assess the atmospheric contributions to Antarctic sea-ice change with a view to provide a ranking. Specifically, the project will explore the following research objectives:

  1. Quantify the impact of changing atmospheric circulation patterns on Antarctic sea-ice variability, due to Southern Annular Mode and other relevant atmospheric teleconnections.
  2. Assess the role of atmospheric temperature and precipitation in modulating sea-ice growth, melt, and thermodynamic thickness.
  3. Evaluate the large-scale influence of atmospheric aerosols on sea-ice albedo and radiative forcing.
  4. Develop and apply advanced modeling techniques to simulate and project future changes in Antarctic sea ice under various climate scenarios.

To achieve these objectives, a combination of observational, reanalysis, and modeling techniques will be employed.

  1. Observation-based analysis: Utilizing satellite remote sensing data (e.g., AMSR-E, AMSR2, Sentinel-1) and reanalysis products (e.g., ERA5, MERRA-2) to identify trends and variability in sea-ice extent, thickness, floe-size distribution and atmospheric conditions.
  2. Statistical analysis: Employing statistical methods to quantify the relationships between atmospheric variables and sea-ice metrics.
  3. Climate modeling: Using high-resolution climate models to simulate the impact of atmospheric forcing on Antarctic sea ice under historical and future climate scenarios.

This research is expected to:

  1. Improve our understanding of the mechanisms driving Antarctic sea-ice variability.
  2. Contribute to the development of more robust climate models.
  3. Inform policy decisions to emphasize the need for climate-change mitigation over adaptation.
  4. By addressing the atmospheric contributions to Antarctic sea-ice change and outlining broader consequences, this project will enhance our ability to improve the inclusion of their complex interactions in numerical models and support informed decision-making.

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Primary Supervisor

Meet A/Prof Stuart Corney

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.

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 climate, physical, satellite-sensing or a related field
  • Solid mathematics, climate and physics background
  • Demonstrated outcome-oriented experience in high-level scientific research and data analysis
  • Demonstrated experience in succinct communication of scientific problems and results to peers as well as non-experts
  • Interest in conducting high-level research including developing new scientific approaches

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Demonstrated high-level programming experience, i.e., Python
  • Experience in HPC computing
  • Experience in handling “big data”

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact A/Prof Stuart Corney to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. 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.
  4. Apply prior to 1 June 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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