Understanding variability and change in Antarctic Bottom Water and the deep overturning circulation in the Southern Ocean

About the research project

The global overturning circulation influences our global climate through heat and carbon uptake, ocean ventilation, biogeochemical cycling, and sea level rise. The formation and export of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Southern Ocean is key component of the overturning circulation. Thus, changes in the overturning circulation have global-scale consequences. Observations and modelling show that changes are underway and mainly driven by changes in the freshwater budget on the shelf in a few key locations (Rintoul et al. 2026). This project will investigate variability and change in the deep global overturning circulation by combining historical observations with novel ocean observing technology to observe Antarctic Bottom Water with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.

The harsh environment of the Southern Ocean makes collecting in-situ observations especially difficult and the resulting data are severely seasonally biased. Full-depth observations required to observe AABW are outside the range of typical core Argo profiling floats, and thus even more sparse in space and time. The advent of Deep Argo – autonomous profiling floats capable of measuring the full-depth of the ocean and under sea ice – are changing the way we understand variability in the deep ocean (e.g. Foppert et al. 2021; Thomas et al. 2020; Zilberman et al. 2020). This project will use 9+ years of data from an array of Deep Argo floats in the Australian Antarctic Basin, first deployed in 2018 and continually reseeded with additional floats to maintain the array. New data from the Multidisciplinary Investigations of the Southern Ocean (MISO) voyage in 2024 and upcoming MISO-2 voyage in 2027 also provide in-situ data of AABW properties, adding to a multi-decadal timeseries of observed AABW variability and change along key pathways of the deep overturning circulation. The MISO-2 voyage will also deploy four Deep Argo floats equipped with dissolved oxygen sensors to allow basin-scale mapping of ventilation by the deep overturning circulation for the first time. Together, these datasets make-up a unique and novel perspective of AABW variability and change, and ventilation of the deep ocean. 

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Annie Foppert

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:

Completion of an Honours or Master’s degree with a substantial research component in oceanography, geophysics, or related field.

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:

• Completion of an Honours or Master’s degree with a substantial research component.
• Strong mathematical or physics-based background.
• Demonstrated data analysis skills to support scientific analysis.
• Programming and computational skills (preferably Matlab or Python).
• Curiosity in oceanography and climate science
• Enthusiasm to drive world-leading research on our changing climate.
• Works well in a team.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Understanding of physical oceanography 
• Knowledge of geophysical fluid dynamics
• Willingness to engage in science communication and outreach to a broad audience

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Annie Foppert 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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