How will Air-Sea Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Respond to Global Change?

How will Air-Sea Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Respond to Global Change?

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Parv Suntharalingam, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Erik Buitenhuis, Tyndall Centre, University of East Anglia

Dr Yohei Takano, British Antarctic Survey

Dr Dave Mundy, British Antarctic Survey

 

Scientific Background

The ocean plays a key role in controlling atmospheric  greenhouse-gas levels. It removes a significant fraction of anthropogenic carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere, and also emits nitrous-oxide  and methane, important greenhouse-gases formed by marine ecosystems. We urgently need to understand the processes regulating these air-sea fluxes, and how they will evolve under future global change.  To accurately assess the combined impact of different greenhouse-gases on climate it is important to use models that integrate the underlying carbon and nitrogen cycles, and deliver a consistent greenhouse-gas flux response to global change.

 

Research Methodology

In this project you will work with a team of scientists from the University of East Anglia and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to bring together existing model parameterisations for marine CO2 and  N2O and develop an integrated greenhouse-gas ocean biogeochemistry model.  You will apply the integrated model to assess the combined oceanic greenhouse-gas response  to a range of climate change scenarios, e.g., accounting for the impacts of ocean warming and deoxygenation on marine ecosystems.  The overarching aim will be to assess how the impacts of global change will affect the air-sea  fluxes of the major greenhouse-gases within a consistent physical and biological model framework.

 

Training

This is a collaborative project between UEA, and the British Antarctic Survey and builds on previous research by the supervisory team on ocean biogeochemistry and climate change impacts. You will receive training in ocean circulation and biogeochemistry, numerical modelling, and associated climate data analyses.  You will acquire skills in science communication, project management and collaborative research, and will be involved in a project of critical interest to oceanography and climate research communities.

 

Person Specification

This project is suited for a candidate with a background in natural sciences, engineering or mathematics, with good numerical and programming skills,  and interests in ocean biogeochemistry and global change.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Natural Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Environmental Sciences

Project code: SUNTHARALINGAM_UEA_ARIES26

References

  • Tian, H. et al. (including P. Suntharalingam and E, Buitenhuis), Global Nitrous Oxide Budget (1980-2020), Earth System Science Data, 16, 2543–2604, 2024. https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/16/2543/2024/
  • Tian, H. et al. (including P. Suntharalingam and E, Buitenhuis), ‘A comprehensive quantification of global nitrous oxide sources and sinks’, 2020, Nature. 586, 7828, p. 248–256.
  • Buitenhuis, E. T., Suntharalingam, P. & Le Quéré, C., ‘Constraints on global oceanic emissions of N2O from observations and models’, 2018, Biogeosciences. 15, 7, p. 2161-2175.
  • Takano, Y., et al. (including P. Suntharalingam and E, Buitenhuis), ‘Simulations of ocean deoxygenation in the historical era: insights from forced and coupled models’,. 2023, Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. 21 pp. 10.3389/fmars.2023.1139917
  • Suntharalingam, P., Buitenhuis, E., Le Quéré, C et al., ‘Quantifying the Impact of Anthropogenic Nitrogen Deposition on Oceanic Nitrous Oxide’, 2012, Geophysical Research Letters. 39, 7, L07605.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) 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