Governance-ready environmental risk and impact assessment framework development for ocean alkalinity enhancement

About the research project

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) refers to a group of novel CO2 removal pathways that aim to increase the ocean's capacity to absorb and store atmospheric CO2 by adding alkaline materials to seawater. These approaches seek to accelerate natural weathering processes that already help regulate Earth's climate. Ocean liming is one form of OAE whereby particulate minerals derived from limestone are added to the ocean to increase alkalinity. It is considered among the safest alkaline materials for ocean alkalinity enhancement.

The Alkalinity Research Voyage (ARVO) is an IMAS-led scientific research initiative focused on ocean liming, a form of ocean alkalinity enhancement. Through two research voyages in 2027 and 2028 with CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator in Bass Strait, ARVO aims to improve understanding of the effectiveness and environmental implications of OAE in Australian waters.

Scientific and policy assessments indicate that carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is likely to be needed alongside emissions reductions to help address climate change and counteract hard-to-abate residual emissions. ARVO contributes to this broader scientific effort by generating scientific evidence to evaluate OAE using ocean liming for its effectiveness in CDR and its ecological effects to inform future decisions about whether the approach should be considered further or ruled out.

The development of environmental risk assessments and impact assessment frameworks for OAE remains conceptual - either generic in form (e.g., codes of practice for OAE environmental monitoring) or focused on Life Cycle Impact Assessment for carbon MRV and finance assessment purposes - with limited operational development and application for local marine area planners or regulators. Planning of field trials and potential upscaling in order to achieve CDR goals at scale will require OAE-specific environmental risk and impact assessment frameworks to address regulatory and permitting approval requirements and to inform assessment of the feasibility of co-location of OAE in multiple-use marine areas.

This PhD project would address critical environmental risk and governance research needs as part of the ARVO initiative by further considering: What environmental risk/impact metrics should regulators use to evaluate OAE trial proposals? How do we quantify uncertainty in ecological risk and impact pathways? What are appropriate environmental risk and impact thresholds for climate-impacted marine systems? What are the design requirements for a transparent, reproducible risk/impact scoring system and ERA framework? The framework and findings will be immediately useful for governments planning pilot trials in novel areas of ocean-climate action.

Primary supervisor

Meet Associate Professor Emily Ogier

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 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.

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:

The applicant will be required to work as part of the ARVO initiative research team and undertake lab and voyage activities.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

The applicant will have research or research training experience in marine ecology, marine carbon dioxide removal, marine carbon cycle, marine environmental risk assessment and/or marine governance.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Associate Professor Emily Ogier 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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