PhD Studentship: The role of icebergs in heat, freshwater and nutrient exchanges in Greenland’s fjords

Overview

This 3.5-year PhD project is part of the UKRI-funded Fjords Exchange Heat, Freshwater and Nutrients between the Greenland Ice Sheet and the North Atlantic Ocean project. The research investigates Greenland ice-ocean interactions, focusing on how icebergs affect the transfer of ocean heat to the ice sheet, the export of freshwater, and the productivity of Greenland fisheries. The candidate will join a growing team studying these dynamics within the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Sheffield.

The project utilizes an ocean circulation model and remote sensing to quantify the impacts of iceberg deterioration on Ilulissat Kangerlua, an iceberg-congested fjord in west Greenland. Potential research objectives include quantifying iceberg-induced changes to glacier melt rates, determining the fate of freshwater from iceberg melt through tracer experiments, and quantifying nutrient upwelling dynamics to examine impacts on primary productivity. Candidates have the freedom and support to focus on one or multiple objectives and adapt the research to their interests within the scope of the project.

What you get

The studentship provides home tuition fees for 3.5 years along with an annual stipend for living costs aligned with UKRI rates. Additionally, recipients receive a generous Research Training Support Grant.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 2027-01-07.