Ecosystem Responses to Changes in Ocean Circulation

Project Code: LE QUERE_UEA_ARIES27

Ecosystem Responses to Changes in Ocean Circulation

Project Code: LE QUERE_UEA_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Corinne Le Quéré, School of Environmental Science, University of East Anglia – contact me

Dr Tereza Jarníková, School of Environmental Science, University of East Anglia

Professor Alessandro Tagliabue, University of Liverpool

 

Scientific Background:

Marine ecosystems are highly sensitive to the rapid physical reorganisation of the ocean under climate change. Large-scale circulation changes, including a weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and strengthening in Southern Ocean upwelling, combined with increasing surface ocean stratification, are altering light and nutrient availability and modulating phytoplankton growth (Guest et al. 2026). With turnover times of around one week, marine ecosystems respond almost instantaneously to these physical changes.

 

Main Aim and Research Methodology

This PhD will investigate how ecosystem functional groups and trophic structure reorganise as ocean circulation changes (Xue et al. 2024), and determine the implications for the ocean carbon storage (Jarníková et al. 2025). It will thus contribute to understanding the interactions between marine biodiversity and climate change (Le Quéré and Mayot, 2022).

This PhD will combine observational analysis with modelling studies. Observational analysis will examine satellite data, in situ observations and paleo reconstructions, to assess recent shifts in large-scale marine ecosystems. The modelling work will use NEMO-PlankTOM global ocean biogeochemistry model (Le Quéré et al. 2016). The PhD candidate will design, set up and run model simulations to explore ecosystem responses to circulation changes over multiple centuries (e.g. from 1800 to 2300), their coherence with observational signals, and implications for ocean carbon storage.

 

Training:

The PhD candidate will be part of UEA’s Greenocean research group and benefit from international collaborations. The candidate will receive specific training in ocean ecosystem modelling, AI-based code development and data analysis, and access to UEA-led courses including on python, Linux, High-Performance Computing, and data/code sharing with GitHub. They will have opportunities to attend relevant summer schools. They will acquire valuable transferable skills including Data Analysis and Management, Computer Programming and Modelling, Systems Thinking, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Scientific Communication, Collaboration and Networking, opening opportunities in academic and non-academic careers.

 

Person Specification:

This project is particularly suited for candidates with first degrees in any sciences and an interest in marine ecosystems and climate change. Individuals with experience in applied mathematics, computer programming and a particular interest in modelling and/or machine learning are encouraged to apply.

References

  • Guest, J., M.-F. Racault, C. Le Quéré (2026). Global drivers of phytoplankton phenology trends. Global Change Biology, 32, e70955. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70955
  • Jarnikova, T., Le Quéré, C., Rumbold, S., & Jones, C. (2025). Decreasing importance of carbon-climate feedbacks in the Southern Ocean in a warming climate. Science Advances, 11(20), eadr3589. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr3589
  • Le Quéré, C., & Mayot, N. (2022). Climate change and biospheric output. Science, 375(6585), 1091--1092. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo1262
  • Le Quéré, C., Buitenhuis, E. T., Moriarty, R., Alvain, S., Aumont, O., Bopp, L., Chollet, S., Enright, C., Franklin, D. J., Geider, R. J., Harrison, S. P., Hirst, A. G., Larsen, S., Legendre, L., Platt, T., Prentice, I. C., Rivkin, R. B., Sailley, S., Sathyendranath, S., … Vallina, S. M. (2016). Role of zooplankton dynamics for Southern Ocean phytoplankton biomass and global biogeochemical cycles. Biogeosciences, 13(14), 4111–4133. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-4111-2016
  • IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: Chapter 5: Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities Bindoff, N.L., W.W.L. Cheung, J.G. Kairo, J. Arístegui, V.A. Guinder, R. Hallberg, N. Hilmi, N. Jiao, M.S. Karim, L. Levin, S. O’Donoghue, S.R. Purca Cuicapusa, B. Rinkevich, T. Suga, A. Tagliabue, and P. Williamson: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157964.007

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the University of East Anglia Application Portal