Primary Supervisor – Professor Ian Renfrew

Scientific background

Arctic climate change and associated sea ice decline have major impacts on both the atmosphere and oceans and their interactions. Atmospheric-ocean surface heat exchange is highest during cold air outbreaks and high surface wind speeds, and is thus often associated with mesoscale weather systems such as barrier winds, polar lows, and terminal jets, embedded within cold air masses. As sea ice retreats, so does the location of the highest heat fluxes, which is now contributing to changes in the atmospheric forcing of the Greenland Sea, the Sea of ​​Iceland and along the major ocean currents in the Nordic Seas, with implications for the Atlantic overturning circulation. The challenge for this project is to identify possible future changes in mesoscale weather systems and assess their impact on the coupled climate system.

Research methodology

The goal of the project is to measure the impact of high wind speed events on atmosphere-ocean interactions with a particular focus on long-term changes in their impact, given sea ice retreat and changes in ocean circulation. especially:

• Investigating the structure and characteristics of barrier winds off eastern Greenland using new winter observations from a research cruise.
• Conduct numerical simulations of weather forecasting through case studies of barrier winds with observed distribution of sea ice and composite distributions of future sea ice; Study the effects on the structure of barrier winds and associated surface turbulent flows.
• Study the frequency, characteristics and ocean mixed layer effects of barrier winds and peripheral jets in present and future climates through time slice comparisons from state-of-the-art climate model simulations.

an exercise

It will use observations from a series of Norwegian-led research cruises in western Iceland and the Greenland Sea. You may have the opportunity to participate in a cruise in autumn 2026. You will receive training in using the latest numerical weather prediction model – the Met Office Unified Model – and in using and analyzing the latest climate model outputs.

Person specifications

Certificate in quantitative sciences. An interest in data analysis and numerical modeling of weather and climate systems is essential, while some coding experience is desirable.

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
• Meteorology
• Oceanography
• Geophysics or similar quantitative science.

Start date: 1^street October 2026

Finance

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.