Primary Supervisor – Dr. Xiaoming Zhai

Scientific background

The Arctic Ocean has undergone rapid changes in recent decades, with far-reaching impacts on the environment of the Arctic region and the global climate system. The increasing invasion of warm, salty Atlantic waters has led to the so-called “Arctic Ocean”. The continuing decline in sea ice extent has exposed larger areas of the ocean surface to direct solar radiation and wind influence. These changes profoundly alter the circulation of the Arctic Ocean, modifying the storage and export of freshwater and heat, and possibly intensifying mixing processes in the upper ocean. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding due to challenges in observing and modeling the Arctic Ocean.

Research methodology

The goal of this project is to study the circulation of the Arctic Ocean in a changing climate using both Arctic and Subarctic State Estimates (ASTE) and high-resolution ocean modeling. Specifically, you can

• Study the paths and fate of Atlantic water entering the Arctic Ocean through virtual particle tracking and heat budget analysis.
• Study how the loss of sea ice affects ocean-atmosphere-ice exchanges, and how these changes in turn affect the circulation of the Arctic vortex, freshwater storage and release, and the characteristics of Arctic flow to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Evaluate the impact of enhanced hurricane activity and reduced sea ice cover on wind-induced internal wave generation, and investigate its contribution to vertical mixing and ventilation of warm Atlantic waters.

an exercise

You will join a productive team of ocean modellers and polar climatologists at UEA and Cefas (CASE partner). The project will provide you with comprehensive training in polar oceanography, air-sea interaction, and advanced ocean and sea ice modeling techniques. You will gain valuable practical experience from CASE work with Cefas. There will be opportunities to attend summer schools. You will present your work at national and international conferences. There may also be opportunities to do polar fieldwork to gain an estimate of observational data.

Person specifications

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with strong scientific interests and self-motivation. They will have a degree in physics, mathematics, oceanography, meteorology or related sciences with good computational and numerical skills.

Entry requirements

At least a UK BA (Hons) equivalency of 2:1. English language requirements (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Acceptable first degree: Physics, Mathematics, Oceanography, Meteorology or similar sciences.

Study method

Full time

Start date

October 1, 2026

Financing information

ARIES Scholarships are governed by UKRITerms and Conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded scholarship, which covers fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26) and a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). A limited number of scholarships are available to international applicants, with the difference between ‘national’ and ‘international’ fees waived by the registered university. However, please note that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with moving to and living in the UK, such as visa costs or additional health fees.