PhD in Earth sciences

Use cutting-edge high-resolution climate models and observations to uncover how Arctic Ocean circulation will evolve in the coming decades, and what this means for climate at lower latitudes./nOver the past decades, the Arctic Ocean circulation has changed significantly, in part due to a large reduction in the sea ice extent in the Northern hemisphere. The resulting ocean currents risk delivering a greater amount of fresh waters to the sub-Arctic regions, with potential impact on the sinking of North Atlantic Deep Waters and the global overturning circulation./nThis project will use global simulations with refined resolution over the Arctic Ocean to investigate the evolving interactions between ocean, atmosphere and sea ice in these regions, and consequences for key processes setting the climate at lower latitudes./nIn this PhD research, you will analyze simulations that use spatially variable mesh refinement to explicitly resolve mesoscale eddies in the Arctic Ocean over decadal time scales under a realistic climate-emission scenario. These unique simulations will enable you to investigate how ocean eddies shape the transport of heat and salinity under past, present, and future climate conditions./nYour modelling work will be complemented by observational datasets from the Fram Strait, including ocean gliders, moored instruments, and satellite-based products. If desired, you will also have the opportunity to expand this dataset by participating in a research cruise in the Arctic Ocean./nYou will join the Geoscience & Remote Sensing department (GRS) working closely with fellow PhD researchers, postdocs, and professors in an open and collaborative environment, where you will receive full support and training to grow in your career. This project is a collaboration between TU Delft and the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), offering the chance to work with leading experts in physical oceanography and climate science.