Modelling Iceberg and Glacier Melting at the Ice-Ocean-Atmosphere Interface

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition, for entry in September 2025.

Overview of the Research:

Increased glacier melting is enhancing ice sheet loss and freshwater discharge to the Earth’s oceans, altering global currents and related climate systems. To predict the ultimate impacts of these changes we need accurate models of glacier and iceberg melting. Simplified models exist, but they break down in the region where ice, water, and air meet and interact – where melting is often greatest. The aim of this PhD is to develop the first quantitative models of melting at the ice-ocean-atmosphere interface, and to use these tools to improve melting parameterisations currently used by climate scientists.

This project is a unique opportunity for ambitious candidates to learn and synthesise a broad range of cutting-edge techniques (high-performance computing, asymptotic analysis of partial differential equations, numerical algorithm development, as well as laboratory experiments) in order to answer important real-world problems. They will build on a versatile and scalable framework for modelling ice-ocean interactions [1] and thereby:

– Extend previous phase-field models [2] to ice-ocean-air interactions,

– Formulate these models using tools from variational calculus to enforce relevant conservation and dissipation laws,

– Calculate the physically relevant limit of asymptotically small phase-field interfacial thickness,

– Implement the resulting model in the powerful open-source PDE solver Dedalus [3,4],

– Validate high-performance computing simulations against laboratory experiments on free-floating ice,

– Propose an improved parameterisation of ice-ocean-air interactions.

Beyond these goals there is significant flexibility to specialise in particular interests of the candidate, including rigorous convergence proofs, numerical analysis, software development, or laboratory experiments. Each of these directions will benefit from fruitful collaboration with relevant experts in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, as well as a network of national and international collaborators in the UK, US, Australia, and France. Funding is available for both domestic and international applicants. 

Project keywords: ice-ocean-atmosphere interactions, computational fluid dynamics, phase-field models, asymptotic analysis, numerical analysis, Dedalus spectral code

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should hold (or expect to shortly receive) a First Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences, etc). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous, and some research experience would be highly beneficial.

Knowledge in some of Fluid Mechanics, Partial Differential Equations, Asymptotic Analysis, Computational Physics, Python Coding and/or related fields is preferred. 

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are strongly encouraged. Please contact Dr Eric Hester at eh2450@bath.ac.uk. See https://ericwhester.github.io/ for examples of related research. 

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Mathematics prior to the closing date of this advert.

IMPORTANT:

When completing the application form:

1. In the Funding your studies section, select ‘University of Bath URSA’ as the studentship for which you are applying.
2. In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.

Failure to complete these two steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.