The Te Moana Mahana project recently opened a new PhD position for aspiring doctoral fellows to pursue their research in physical oceanography. This position is summarised below. To see the full PhD advertisement, please follow this link.
Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Shelf-Sea Physics in Aotearoa New Zealand
The ocean around Aotearoa New Zealand is warming faster than the global average, fuelling extreme weather and changing the ocean near the coast. We are seeking a skilled and ambitious PhD candidate to work on the MBIE Endeavour funded programme Te Moana Mahana.
The PhD candidate’s research will involve developing, running, and analysing high-resolution numerical ocean models and analysing moored observations to:
- Assess the present-day response of Aotearoa New Zealand’s shelf seas to extreme weather events (e.g., extratropical storms/cyclones, atmospheric blocking).
- Investigate the physical mechanisms linking the shelf sea responses to atmospheric forcing and changes in the deeper offshore ocean.
The accepted candidate will be based at the University of Otago and collaborate with a team from the University of Auckland, Earth Sciences New Zealand, and an advisory group including tangata whenua.
About the PhD Position
The position includes a tax-free stipend/scholarship of NZ$35,000 with additional funding for some expenses, including travel to collaborators and national/international conferences.
The accepted candidate should have completed an M.Sc. and/or B.Sc. (Hons) degree in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Oceanography
- Physics
- Mathematics or computer science
The candidate should also have strong skills in data analysis, written and oral communication and coding skills in MATLAB, Python, Julia and/or Fortran.
Key Dates
- Closing dates for applications: 30 September 2026.
- Start date: By June 2027
Please find more details about the project and the application process in the attached .pdf file. Please contact Dr. Robert Smith if you require more information.