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Graduate studies

Four PhD student opportunities (UK and EU applicants only)

Picture of POL graduate students at work

Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory is wholly-owned NERC research centre, and conducts world-leading research in:

Sea level and geodetic oceanography
Numerical modelling of coastal and shelf sea circulation
Estuary, coastal and shelf sea physics and ecosystem dynamics in topical mid-latitude and polar regions
Wind-wave dynamics
Sediment transport processes
Marine technology and operational oceanography

POL invites applications for the following fully-funded studentships:

Open studentship (three studentship positions)

POL is seeking to recruit two highly numerate PhD students for fully funded NERC studentships. Students are welcome to carry out research in any area covered by POL's work.

Available projects:

One studentship is available immediately and the other two are available from October 2009.

Strategic Ocean Funding Initiative (SOFI) (one studentship position)

POL is seeking to recruit a PhD Student to be supported under the Strategic Ocean Funding Initiative (SOFI). The project that will receive funding is:

Optical and acoustic determination of the properties and flux of estuarine suspended particulate material under waves and tidal currents. Supervisors: Dr C Jago (University of Wales, Bangor), Dr AJ Souza (POL) Dr BD Moate (POL). NE/F01225X/1 - [More].

Requirements

All applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first class or upper second degree in a relevant numerate discipline such as physics, mathematics or oceanography. Further details of eligibility criteria for UK and EU applicants can be found on the Natural Environment Research Council's website.

How to apply

Further details of eligibility criteria for UK and EU applicants can be found on the Natural Environment Research Council's website »

Please email Dr Simon Holgate at pol-phdenquiries@pol.ac.uk. indicating the project that you are applying for and include a covering letter and a CV or telephone 0151 795 4900 for an informal chat.

Closing dates

Full consideration will be given to applications received by Friday, 6th February 2009 with interviews held in the week commencing 23rd February 2009. However, applications for all positions will continue to be reviewed until the studentships are filled.

POL PhD student profiles

Listed below are profiles of three of the students currently undertaking their PhDs here at POL (in total we have more than 10 PhD students). The profiles should give you an idea of the type and standard of our PhDs, and a bit about what it is like working at POL and living in Liverpool.

Eleanor O'Rourke - Coastal trapped waves and the effect of topography on thermohaline adjustment

I am now in my third year of a PhD looking at coastal trapped waves and the effect of topography on thermohaline adjustment. Being based at POL provides numerous benefits including generous training and travel allowances, excellent facilities and day-to-day interaction with eminent scientists.

Liverpool is a great city that is full of life. It has a low cost of living compared to other UK cities leaving plenty to spend in the rapidly expanding array of shops, bars and restaurants.

Rob Hall - Internal waves and slope mixing in the Faroe-Shetland Channel

I am in my final year researching internal waves and slope mixing in the Faroe-Shetland Channel. Doing a PhD at Proudman means you get the benefits of working in a professional research laboratory while maintaining strong links with the University.

Liverpool has a thriving music and arts scene, making it a great city to live and work in.

Eleanor Howlett - Dynamics of Liverpool Bay

My research aims to answer several questions about the dynamics of Liverpool Bay, so that the regions' marine system can be recreated in models as accurately as possible. POL is a great place to do research due to the diverse physical oceanography community.

There is also a great social side to working at POL with sport activities (such as Badminton, Squash and Basketball) taking place weekly.

The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) and the Bristish Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) are components of the Natural Environment Research Council, which has an equal opportunities policy and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community. People with disabilities and those from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.