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PhD: A numerical and experimental study of thermally-driven flows in subglacial lakes

Du 1 septembre 2026 au 31 août 2029

Start date: Fall 2026 – Applications open until the position is filled (or July 1st, 2026)

Year 1 and 2: Laboratoire de physique de l'ENS de Lyon
Year 3: University of Melbourne, Australia

The Earth’s hydrosphere, in particular the large-scale circulations of oceans and subglacial lakes, is shaped by temperature conditions and heat fluxes. For instance, the difference in surface ocean temperatures between the equator and poles helps drive the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), while variable ice sheet thicknesses can drive similar large-scale flows in subglacial lakes. Ocean and subglacial lake circulations can change abruptly when forcing conditions evolve, such as surface air temperatures rising due to climate change. Here, our aims are to characterize the different dynamical regimes of key components of the Earth’s hydrosphere, identify thresholds for regime changes in parameter space, and investigate the nature of transitions. To make progress, we will investigate idealized models of oceans and subglacial lakes, which include the physical processes key to surface and subglacial environments.

This PhD opening is part of the Graduate Research Project:
 

“Temperature-induced regime changes in the Earth’s hydrosphere: insights from models of the oceans and subglacial lakes”


between CNRS and the University of Melbourne, which has financial support for two PhD projects. The advertised PhD project will be primarily based in Lyon and combine laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to characterize the dynamics of subglacial lakes (Lyon PhD). Subglacial lakes populate the base of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets and are of interest to fluid dynamics, glaciology, paleoclimatology and astrobiology. The other PhD project will be primarily based at the University of Melbourne and focus on idealized models of the large-scale ocean circulation using numerical models (Melbourne PhD). An exchange program is planned between the two institutes. The PhD candidate in Lyon will spend the final year (year 3) in Melbourne to benefit from Dr. Vreugdenhil’s expertise in running high-resolution large-eddy simulations of thermally-driven flows. Regular discussions between the two teams will motivate the exchange of ideas and results on related topics.

More information in the PDF