Emprego

Applications are invited for a funded PhD studentship in the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University (UK)
 
Funding is available for an outstanding candidate on one of these three projects:
1) Use of ground-penetrating radar to characterise over-deepened glacial basins around Vatnajökull and Öræfajökull in SE Iceland
2) Suspended sediment load of streams discharging from Vatnajökull and Öræfajökull, SE Iceland
3) Colonisation of glacier forelands in SE Iceland by Lupinus nootkatensis
 
Project 1: Use of ground-penetrating radar to characterise over-deepened glacial basins around Vatnajökull and Öræfajökull in SE Iceland
Several glaciers that drain from Vatnajökull and Öræfajökull in SE Iceland – examples include Svínafellsjökull, Skaftafellsjökull, Kvíárjökull and Breiðamerkurjökull – have over-deepened basins. These over-deepened glacial basins are important for the formation of ‘supercooled’ water, which is considered to be important for subglacial erosion and debris transfer, yet the geomorphological characteristics of these over-deepened basins are currently unknown. This project will utilise the latest ground-penetrating radar equipment to delimit the spatial extent of over-deepened basins and to investigate the associated ice-marginal structures. The successful candidate is likely to have at least a 2.1 BSc Honours degree in Geography, Physical Geography, Earth Science, Geology or other relevant discipline. This project will benefit from links with Dr David Graham at Loughborough University who will act as a co-supervisor for the project. Potential candidates may contact Dr Nicholas Midgley ( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail , +44 (0) 1636 817016) to discuss the studentship.
 
Project 2: Suspended sediment load of streams discharging from Vatnajökull and Öræfajökull, SE Iceland
Recent developments in understanding of the seasonal evolution of subglacial drainage basins are based largely on the study of Alpine glaciers. This project will investigate the suspended sediment load of a number of proglacial streams in SE Iceland, with the aim of testing the application of the Alpine seasonal evolution model. The Icelandic subglacial basins are of particular interest because of the recent identification of over-deepened basins at the glacier terminus and the development of super-cooled discharge. The impact of these over-deepened basins on suspended sediment load will also be assessed. The successful candidate is likely to have at least a 2.1 BSc Honours degree in Geography, Physical Geography, Earth Science, Geology or other relevant discipline. This project will benefit from links with Dr Darrel Swift at The University of Sheffield who will act as a co-supervisor for the project. Potential candidates may contact Dr Jillian Lababz ( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail , +44 (0) 1636 817017) to discuss the studentship.
 
Project 3: Colonisation of glacier forelands in SE Iceland by Lupinus nootkatensis
Lupinus nootkatensis (known as Alaskalúpína in Iceland) is an invasive alien plant species that was introduced as a soil conservation measure in Iceland during the 1950s. However, it now poses problems associated with the potential for rapid spread. L. nootkatensis is now found in many recently deglaciated areas and other types of disturbed ground in Iceland. Work in the Skaftafell National Park found that L. nootkatensis coverage increased from 17,000 m2 in 1988 to 230,000 m2 in 2000. Recently acquired high-resolution aerial imagery (obtained in 2007 and 2009) will provide evidence of the spread of L. nootkatensis at a number of recently deglaciated sites in SE Iceland. The aerial surveys from 2007 and 2009 will be augmented by additional ground surveys using dGPS during the course of the studentship. Habitat preferences will also be assessed through the investigation of soil and vegetation characteristics of areas invaded by L. nootkatensis. The successful candidate is likely to have at least a 2.1 BSc Honours degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Geography or other relevant discipline. Potential candidates may contact Dr Jane Robbins ( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail , +44 (0) 1636 817066) to discuss the studentship.
 
Funding Notes
Funding is available for a studentship including a bursary of £13,290 (tax free) per annum for three years and fees for a UK/EU student. Applications from overseas students are welcome, but a successful candidate would be responsible for paying the international fees (fees for 2009/10 are £10,200 for international students).
 
Timetable
Application deadline: 30 November 2009
Expected interview date: 14 December 2009
Anticipated start date: 1 January 2010 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
 
Applying
Further details can be found at:
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/research_degrees/studentships/index.html
 
For an application form, please contact Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail or telephone +44 (0)115 848 3269.