About the Project
Scientific background
The Atlantic Ocean has warmed significantly over the last few years partly from increasing greenhouse gases, but other climate forcing agents also play a role. In particular, dust produced and lifted into the atmosphere over Africa and transported thousands of miles over the Atlantic has important and complex effects on climate.
Saharan dust reflects sunlight to space and so cools the ocean, just as its absence warms the ocean. Dust in the atmosphere can alter the atmospheric circulation on vast scales and changes to the Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperature also impact on global atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Understanding changes in dust transport is, therefore, important for making better predictions of changes to temperature, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and rainfall over the Atlantic ocean region. Observing, modelling and understanding the complexity of the dust cycle and its underlying processes presents a substantial but fascinating scientific challenge.
Research methodology
The project will be in two parts. First, you will analyse global datasets of observations and state-of-the-art climate models to understand the movement of dust, and its effects on temperature, atmospheric circulation, and impacts such as rainfall. Such analysis will involve examining similarities and differences between models to gain a more detailed understanding of the models' treatments of dust and climate, and evaluating them against observations. Second, you will design, run and analyse experiments using slightly simpler climate models on the UEA high-performance computing system to untangle the mechanisms involved.
Aims and Outcomes
To understand and better predict how dust influences Atlantic Ocean temperatures, and how these changes affect climate, ocean-atmosphere circulation and precipitation patterns.
Training
You will be trained in statistical analysis, including computer coding, and interpretation of observational datasets and output from state-of-the-art climate models. You will also learn to design, run and analyse your own climate model experiments. Training activities also occur within the ARIES DTP.
Person Specification
A degree in a quantitative science. An interest in data analysis and numerical modelling of weather systems and the climate system is essential, while some experience in coding is desirable.
Entry Requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category)
Mode of Study
Full-time or Part-time
Start Date
1 October 2027
Funding Notes
ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI's eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Projects have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, with equal weighting given to experience and potential.
After submitting their application for the relevant ARIES project(s), applicants are expected to complete the ARIES Equality and Diversity Form Applicants - 2027 Entry – Fill in form. One form is required per application, so applicants applying to more than one project must complete a separate form for each.
Please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk for further information.
References
- Luo et al 2025 (coauthored by MJ, LW, BS), Physical processes influencing the Asian climate due to black carbon emission over East Asia and South Asia, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7647-2025
- Leung et al 2025, A global dust emission dataset for estimating dust radiative forcings in climate models, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2311-2025
- Stjern et al 2024 (coauthored by MJ, LW, BS), Systematic Regional Aerosol Perturbations (SyRAP) in Asia using the intermediate-resolution global climate model FORTE2, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023MS004171
- Ratna et al 2020, (coauthored by MJ, TO), The influence of Atlantic variability on Asian summer climate is sensitive to the pattern of the sea surface temperature anomaly, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0039.1
- Evan et al 2011, Influence of African dust on ocean–atmosphere variability in the tropical Atlantic, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1276