The School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University (www.climate.sun.ac.za ) in collaboration with the Southern Ocean Carbon Climate Observatory (SOCCO) at CSIR, DFFE: Oceans and Coasts Branch, and SAEON and UKZN is building a new research programme to support South Africa’s emerging science, technology and policy needs in the emerging field of marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR).
We are offering a PhD in the following theme:
What is the effectiveness of mCDR of scalable ocean kelp afforestation (OKA) and alkalinity enhancement (OAE) Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR)? How do the sharply contrasing high energy regional ocean dynamics and ecosystems enhance or suppress the effectiveness of scalable mCDR interventions? This strategic approach to mCDR will focus on well-considered high resolution numerical modelling experiments to analyze the role of regional ocean physics on CO2 and heat equilibration as well as biogeochemical feedbacks.
Requirements
- A MSc with a background in physical or mathematical sciences, oceanography physics-CO2-biogeochemical modelling are recommended.
- Skills in numerical analysis and Python coding are essential as will be an interest in the use of machine learning and wider AI
This is a unique opportunity to work on the feasibility of scalable mCDR in one of the most scientifically challenging global ocean regions: the Agulhas – Benguela Systems, one of the most physically and biologically energetic parts of the global ocean and a bottleneck of the MOC.
If you are interested, please send us a 1-page Expression of Interest letter explaining why this may be of interest as well as your CV.
This would be a 3-year opportunity for a South African MSc graduate. We reserve the right not to award any bursaries and to make awards in support of Stellenbosch University and NRF equity principles.
Contact: Pedro M. S. Monteiro pmsmonteiro@sun.ac.za (marine carbon – climate modelling)
Closing Date: when filled