Title of Position/Job: PhD opportunity in snow-vegetation- atmosphere interactions
Institution: Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
Position Type: Graduate Position
Closing Date: 23-07-2010
Description:
Northumbria University has a PhD opportunity in snow-vegetation- atmosphere interactions. The main aim of the project is to improve understanding of the energy balance of snow and vegetation in boreal landscapes. The award is for a three-year stipend, scheduled to begin in fall 2010.
Objectives of this project are:
- Review how currently available models represent forest-snow processes and the variability in model performance associated with different process representations (utilizing output from 33 models available in the SnowMIP2 database);
- Develop a minimal-complexity model of snowpack mass and energy balance to include vegetation canopies, which enables substitution of individual process representations;
- In support of model development and evaluation, obtain measurements of radiative fluxes and snow distributions under forest canopies characteristic of large parts of the boreal zone. Intensive field campaigns currently scheduled in Abisko, Sweden (March 2011), and Sodankyla, Finland (March 2012), will allow spatially- distributed sub-canopy energetics and forest canopy characteristics to be quantified;
- Evaluate two different techniques which are used to observe spatial distributions of sub-canopy energy fluxes: coincident observations to be made using spatially distributed arrays of radiometers; and a continuously moving rail-mounted radiometer, Davos, Switzerland. Investigate the influence of data acquisition techniques on evaluation of model performance.
- Evaluate the performance of different process representations within a minimal-complexity forest-snow model against independent radiative observations and a more complex canopy-resolving model that includes shortwave and longwave radiative transfer.
This is an excellent opportunity for any student to develop expertise in cryospheric modeling. Training will be provided, however, preference will be made to applicants who have experience running or using output from environmental models, who have computer programming and data manipulation skills (experience of Matlab or Fortran is desirable) and who have previous experience in glaciological data collection techniques. It is essential that the successful applicant is enthusiastic, highly motivated, capable of independent thinking, and prepared to work as part of a team in cold, potentially remote environments.
Applicants should hold a first or upper second-class honors degree in a relevant subject from a British higher education institution, or the equivalent thereof. Students who are not United Kingdom or European Union residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications (including an International English Language Testing System score of at least 6.5).
Interested candidates should apply using the University's Research Studentship Application Form. Further details on the University's Research Studentship Scheme, as well as with the application form, can be found at:
http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchstudentships.
Applications should be sent to Linday Barlow via email (
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 mailed in hardcopy to:
Linda Barlow
School of Applied Sciences
D111
Ellison Building
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
United Kingdom
Application deadline: Friday, 23 July 2010
Interview dates: Week beginning 16 August 2010
Start Date: Autumn 2010
For further information, please contact:
Nick Rutter
Email:
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
Phone: +44 (0) 191 227 4735 / +44 (0) 191 227 4735
