Winds and Waves in the Alpine Mountains

Project Code: ORR_BAS_ARIES27

Winds and Waves in the Alpine Mountains

Project Code: ORR_BAS_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Andrew Orr, British Antarctic Survey – contact me

Professor Ian Renfrew, UEA

Dr Thomas Caton Harrison, BAS

Dr Neil Hindley, University of Bath

Dr Peter Sheridan, UK Met Office

 

Scientific Background:

Mountains (or “orography”) have a substantial effect on the atmospheric circulation. This includes atmospheric disturbances known as orographic gravity waves, generated by the winds flowing over orography. These waves propagate upwards and eventually become unstable and break down, which results in orographic gravity wave drag. This is a frictional force that decelerates upper-level winds and causes clear-air turbulence. However, a lack of understanding of these processes results in a poor representation of orographic gravity wave drag in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, which subsequently leads to large errors in their representation of atmospheric circulation and thus weather forecasts. Due to the importance of this problem, a major international atmospheric research programme called TEAMx took place over the Alps in 2025 with the aim to improve weather forecasts in complex terrain, which included measurements from weather balloons and aircraft of orographic gravity waves.

 

Research Methodology

The individual will use the measurements from the TEAMx campaign to improve our process-based knowledge of orographic gravity wave drag and its representation in NWP models. Specifically:

  • Identify case studies periods with substantial orographic gravity wave activity.
  • Use the observations to investigate how orographic gravity waves are generated for the case studies, and how they propagate upwards and eventually break down.
  • Conduct multi-scale simulations of the case studies using Met Office NWP models and assess how realistically they capture orographic gravity waves and their effects.
  • Optimise these models and improve their accuracy.

 

Training:

The individual will receive training in mountain meteorological processes and fluid dynamics, running Met Office NWP models, and data analysis. They will have the opportunity to work alongside other scientists at the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Bath working on another TEAMx project on orographic gravity waves, including opportunities to attend project meetings, as well as international TEAMx meetings. They will also receive cohort residential training, and dedicated funding for conferences and skills development.

 

Person Specification:

The individual should have a degree in Meteorology, Physics, Maths or a similar quantitative science. An interest in meteorology, data analysis and numerical modelling is essential.

References

  • Sandu, I., van Niekerk, A., Shepherd, T.G., et al. (2019), Impacts of orography on large-scale atmospheric circulation, npj Clim Atmos Sci 2, 10, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-019-0065-9.
  • Hindley, N. P., Wright, C. J., Gadian, A. M., Hoffmann, L., Hughes, J. K., Jackson, D. R., King, J. C., Mitchell, N. J., Moffat-Griffin, T., Moss, A. C., Vosper, S. B., and Ross, A. N. (2021), Stratospheric gravity waves over the mountainous island of South Georgia: testing a high-resolution dynamical model with 3-D satellite observations and radiosondes, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7695–7722, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7695-2021.
  • Orr, A., J. S. Hosking, L. Hoffmann, J. Keeble, S. M. Dean, H. K. Roscoe, L. Abraham, S. Vosper, and T. Phillips (2015), Inclusion of mountain wave-induced cooling for the formation of PSCs over the Antarctic Peninsula in a chemistry-climate model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1071-1086, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1071-2015.
  • Vosper, S. B., Ross, A. N., Renfrew, I. A., Sheridan, P., Elvidge, A. D., and Grubišić, V. (2018), Current challenges in orographic flow dynamics: turbulent exchange due to low-level gravity-wave processes, Atmosphere, 9, 361, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9090361.
  • Smith, R. B., Skubis, S., Doyle, J. D., Broad, A. S., Kiemle, C., and Volkert, H. (2002), Mountain waves over Mont Blanc: Influence of a stagnant boundary layer, J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 2073–2092, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2002)0592.0.CO;2.

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