Unravelling past dryland hydroclimate (RS25/EE/GES/MARKOWSKA)

Our planet’s drylands are at the centre of an intriguing climate mystery.  These regions, which cover nearly half of Earth’s land surface and support 2 billion people, are predicted to expand significantly as our planet warms. By 2030, Earth’s atmospheric CO₂ levels and global temperatures will match those of the Pliocene epoch, approximately 3 million years ago. This makes the Pliocene a great window into Earth’s climate future. Yet, when scientists study Pliocene evidence, they find signs of a much wetter world than our models predict. This disconnect, between future projections and past evidence, represents a crucial gap in our understanding of Earth’s climate system.

The successful applicant will join a large and active research group using innovative techniques to investigate this ‘Dryland Hydroclimate Paradox.’ Your work will help resolve one of climate science’s most pressing questions: why do our best climate models disagree with evidence from Earth’s past, and what does this mean for the future of our planet’s drylands?

Research Approach

In this project you will study cave deposits (speleothems such as stalagmites and stalactites) to reconstruct ancient climates in Earth’s drylands. Cave deposits are unique climate time capsules. Unlike other terrestrial climate records, they can be dated with exceptional precision and preserve multiple indicators of past climate conditions. They’re also found in the regions we most need to understand – areas where people live today and will live in the future.

 This research will address three fundamental questions:

• What triggers humid periods in subtropical drylands?
• How does dryland climate respond to changes in CO₂ and temperature?
• How do rainfall patterns and moisture sources change during humid periods?

Impact

Your research will help resolve one of climate science’s most pressing puzzles. The data you generate will be crucial for:

• Understanding how drylands respond to global warming
• Helping communities prepare for future climate change
• Testing and improving climate models

 Your Research Journey

As a PhD researcher, you will work in an international and interdisciplinary team with multiple opportunities for research visits abroad. In more detail you will:

• Work with cutting-edge analytical techniques in world-class laboratories
• Use multiple research approaches to build a comprehensive picture of past climates
• Collaborate with experts across different fields, from geochemistry to climate modelling
• Travel internationally for fieldwork and conferences
• Develop skills in both well-developed and emerging research methods

 Professional Development and Training

As a Royal Society-funded PhD researcher at Northumbria University, you’ll receive comprehensive training that prepares you for a successful career in either academia or industry.

 Technical Skills Development

 Advanced Laboratory Techniques

 Radiometric dating methods (U-Th and U-Pb)

Organic and inorganic geochemistry

Sample preparation and analysis

State-of-the-art analytical instrumentation

Field Research Skills

International fieldwork experience in Australia, Greece, and other locations

Cave sampling and monitoring techniques

Environmental monitoring and data collection

Field safety and risk assessment

Data Analysis and Modelling

 Statistical analysis of complex datasets

Data visualization

Time series analysis

Career enhancement and academic skills

Leadership development and project management skills

Scientific writing and publication

Grant writing

Conference presentation skills

Networking events with leading scientists

International Experience

Collaboration with research teams worldwide

Conference attendance and presentation

Research visits to partner institutions

Network building across multiple countries

Additional Opportunities

Regular departmental seminars and workshops with expert guest speakers

Public engagement and science communication training

Teaching experience opportunities

Access to Northumbria University’s full range of researcher development programmes.

 This comprehensive training package will equip you with highly transferable skills valued in academia, industry, and policy-making roles. You’ll graduate not just with a PhD, but with the professional toolkit needed for a successful career in climate science or related fields.

This project is supervised by Research Fellow Dr Monika Markowska. For informal academic queries, contact monika.markowska@northumbria.ac.uk . For enquiries relating to eligibility or application process, email fc.pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk

This project is additionally co-supervised by Ass. Prof. Vasile Ersek (NU), Prof. Michael Rogerson (NU), Ass. Prof. Sebastian Breitenbach (NU) and Prof. Russell Drysdale (University of Melbourne) and supported by a network of international collaborators

Eligibility Requirements:

•       Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.

•       Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

•       Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

•       Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

•       Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or

•       have settled status, or

•       have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or

•       have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.

Applicants will need to be fully enrolled in the UK before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship, such as the immigration health surcharge, visa costs and English Language requirements. More detail can be found under the Funding Notes about these costs on our RDF webpage. This studentship is not available for part-time study.

Apply now at https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/  

In your application, include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and also the advert reference (e.g. RS25/…).

Application Deadline: 20 February 2025

Start date of course: 1 October 2025

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.