Continuous Methane Measurements in the Million Year Ice Core

About the research project

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and one of the key atmospheric tracers preserved in polar ice cores. Extending the methane record further back in time is essential both for constraining how greenhouse gases behaved through major, unresolved climate transitions and for understanding the processes that control how atmospheric signals are preserved in ice. This PhD project will contribute to the Million Year Ice Core project by producing a continuous methane concentration record spanning the full length of the core.

The project will use a newly developed bubble-extraction and gas-measurement system that builds on the existing Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) system used for high-resolution chemical measurements of ice cores. This extension to the CFA system has been developed over the past year and allows methane concentrations to be measured continuously as the core is melted for chemical analyses. The student will operate, optimise, quality-control, and interpret this new dataset, creating a valuable standalone record that will also be integrated into the broader Million Year Ice Core program.

The proposed research has three major aims. First, the new methane record will be used to support the development of an age scale for the ice core, including the identification of methane variations that can be linked to known climate transitions documented in other paleoclimate records. Second, the project will investigate changes in the methane cycle, particularly in the deepest part of the core, which is expected to be more than one million years old. Third, the project will examine how local processes within the ice, including signal smoothing and the gas-age/ice-age difference, influence the way atmospheric methane signals are modified before being trapped in glacial ice. It will also investigate signal smoothing in the highly compressed ice near the bedrock and assess how these processes affect the preservation of gas records more generally.

The candidate will gain experience in continuous ice-core analysis, trace-gas measurements, data processing, age-scale development, and the interpretation of palaeoclimate records. As part of the wider Million Year Ice Core project, the student may also have opportunities to participate in broader ice-core activities, including sample processing in freezer laboratories, as well as potential fieldwork and collaborative research activities.

This project provides a unique opportunity to develop a high-impact greenhouse-gas record from one of the world’s most ambitious ice-core programs while building specialist expertise in continuous measurements, palaeoclimate interpretation, and atmospheric greenhouse-gas research.

Primary supervisor

Meet Ms Elena Di Stefano

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applications are open to Domestic and International applicants
• Applications are open to applicants from Natural and Physical Sciences background only
• English language score must be above minimum entry requirements for this project

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience in scientific writing, demonstrated by the production of a thesis or published manuscript
• Willingness to participate in extended laboratory measurement campaigns

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Background in ice core science or related fields

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Ms Elena Di Stefano to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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