About the project
How did Earth stay habitable under a fainter young Sun? Discover how clouds shaped our planet’s ancient climates and could trigger sudden climate shifts. Develop advanced climate models, with opportunities to explore machine learning, while gaining skills in scientific computing, data analysis and atmospheric physics at the University of Southampton.
Clouds can cool Earth by reflecting sunlight or warm it by trapping heat, yet their influence remains a major uncertainty in climate models. How did these competing effects operate in Earth’s earliest atmospheres, and could changes in cloud formation have driven major climate transitions?
This PhD will investigate how clouds form, evolve and interact with atmospheric circulation under conditions unlike those of today. You will develop improved representations of cloud processes in numerical models, connecting small-scale physical processes with their effects on global climate. By exploring different atmospheric conditions, you will examine when clouds help stabilise climate and when they may amplify warming or cooling.
Key questions include how Earth maintained liquid water under a faint young Sun and whether cloud–atmosphere interactions can trigger abrupt climate tipping points. The intended outcomes are improved cloud modelling tools, a clearer understanding of cloud formation pathways through Earth’s history, and identification of conditions that favour climate stability or rapid change. These findings will help test explanations for ancient climates and inform our understanding of cloud feedbacks relevant to future climate change.
You will join the new and growing Planetary Climate Physics group at the University of Southampton. Training will combine atmospheric physics, climate dynamics, numerical modelling, scientific computing and data analysis.
There will also be opportunities to explore machine learning to accelerate global climate simulations and connect high-resolution atmospheric dynamics with larger-scale climate questions.
The School of Physics & Astronomy is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
