Characterising air-sea exchange in realistic breaking waves

About the Project

A better understanding of the water-air interface during wave breaking is essential for addressing environmental issues like climate dynamics and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean. Varying environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed) along with associated wave-breaking processes influence the gas exchange rate. Many studies highlighted inaccuracies in the estimation of CO2 exchange, particularly the role of air bubble entrainment during wave breakup. Therefore, gaining fundamental insight into momentum transfer at the water-air interface provides an accurate estimate of the gas exchange process (e.g., CO2) and thereby supports the development of future climate mitigation approaches.

This project aims to quantitatively characterize the fluid kinematics at the air-water interface during realistic wave breakup conditions using advanced laser diagnostic tools (e.g., Particle Image Velocimetry, Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence). Experiments will be carried out in state-of-the-art wave flumes at the UoM’s Hydrodynamics lab (https://www.scieng.manchester.ac.uk/tomorrowlabs/manchester-hydrodynamic-lab/). Furthermore, the student will benefit from a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, experimentalists, and mathematicians within the University of Manchester and overseas.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

Excellent candidates will be nominated for competence-based faculty funding. The funding covers tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend based on the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). We expect the stipend to increase each year. the duration of the PhD if 4 years.

Self-funded students are welcome to apply.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.