Max is a climate model developer adding sea-ice tracers to the UK Earth System Model (UKESM) as part of the Aria funded ECO-Ice project. 

Max uses and develops a range of modelling techniques to study polar climate. The main focus of his research involves modifying, running, and analysing climate models to project large scale changes in climate. He also uses process models to investigate sea ice on smaller scales.

Max joined the Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate team at BAS in 2025. Previously, he was a Senior Scientist in the Polar Climate group at the Met Office (climate model development); a Research Fellow at the University of Otago (projecting future Antarctic climate); and a Senior Research Associate at the University of East Anglia (combining novel laboratory sea-ice studies and process modelling). He also contributes to the CMIP6/7 Southern Ocean Freshwater Input from Antarctica (SOFIA) Initiative model intercomparison.

For a full list of Max’s publications see https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2327-3664

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

2026

Pauling, Andrew G. ORCID record for Pauling, Andrew G.. Smith, Inga J. Martin, Torge ORCID record for Martin, Torge. Ridley, Jeff K. Stevens, David P. ORCID record for Stevens, David P.. Thomas, Max ORCID record for Thomas, Max. Beadling, Rebecca L. Danek, Christopher ORCID record for Danek, Christopher. Hattermann, Tore ORCID record for Hattermann, Tore. Li, Qian. Marshall, John. Muilwijk, Morven ORCID record for Muilwijk, Morven. Purich, Ariaan. Swart, Neil C. (2026) Antarctic sea ice response to meltwater due to Antarctic ice sheet mass loss in a multi-model ensemble.

2. Creating Standards for Climate Experiments

   Eco-ICE studies whether making Arctic sea ice thicker could harm ocean life and creates tools to help decision-makers work out if climate projects are safe.

   Read more of: Creating Standards for Climate Experiments

   

3. Adding water tracers to the UK Earth System Model

   The project adds water tracers, including stable isotopes, to the UK Earth system model (UKESM2). These tracers follow water through the model’s hydrological cycle.

   Read more of: Adding water tracers to the UK Earth System Model