Fully Funded Studentship: Illuminating the marine oxygen cycle (KITDIS_U14EE) University of East Anglia -School of Environmental Sciences

Deadline: 6th January 2014.

Supervisor: Dr Vassilis Kitidis vak@pml.ac.uk  

The Project:

The amount of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in the oceans is so vast that it exceeds the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Some of this DOC undergoes photochemical breakdown, primarily by UV-light, in surface waters. This breakdown produces CO₂ and consumes oxygen. Oxygen is also consumed by marine plankton respiration and produced by phytoplankton photosynthesis. These three processes link the biogeochemical cycles of O₂ and C and the balance between them determines whether the ocean is a net producer or consumer of oxygen and by extension CO₂. The role of DOC photochemical reactions is expected to increase in a warmer, and hence more stratified, and more acidic ocean. This studentship will examine the hypotheses that 1) photochemical consumption of oxygen represents a substantial loss-process in marine waters and 2) that current estimates of net oxygen production are systematically underestimated by not accounting for the photochemical loss-term.

This project has an experimental and a modelling component, where experimental results will be synthesized. It would therefore suit a highly motivated student with an interest in analytical chemistry and strong numerical skills. Experimental work will be carried out in coastal waters within the framework of the Western English Channel Observatory (http://www.westernchannelobservatory.org.uk/). Applicants should have a good Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area (e.g. in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Marine Sciences or a related discipline). The successful applicant will be expected to undertake sea-going and lab-based studies as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and present their results at relevant national and international conferences. For further information, please contact Dr. Vassilis Kitidis (vak@pml.ac.uk).

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the newly-created ENV East Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) – a collaboration led by the University of East Anglia, with the Universities of Essex and Kent, and twenty other partners. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed as part of the Studentship Competition. The interview dates will be 14th and 15th February 2014 at one of the three Universities listed above.

Entry Requirements:

First degree (2.1) in a relevant subject such as Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Marine Sciences or a related discipline

Funding:

Due to funding restrictions funding for PhD studentships from NERC is available to successful candidates who meet the UK Research Council eligibility criteria. These requirements are detailed in the NERC studentships handbook (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/studentships). In most cases UK and EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full-award. Other EU nationals may qualify for a fees only award or a full award if they are migrant workers in the UK. All candidates should check the NERC eligibility guidelines to confirm their eligibility for funding

The current stipend for 2013/14 is £13,726 per annum.

For full details visit: www.uea.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/science/environmental-sciences

To discuss the application process or particular projects, please contact the: Admissions Office, email:pgr.enquiries.admiss@uea.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1603 591709.