[Aqualist] PhD scholarship in fluvial geomorphology (Macquarie University)

[Tim Barrows]

From: "Gary Brierley" [ gbrierle at els.mq.edu.au ]

PhD Scholarship: Fluvial geomorphology and river rehabilitation, Macquarie 
University, Sydney, NSW.

Stipend $23,294 pa (2003 rate) tax exempt, $5,000 for research costs. Three 
years full time.
Department of Physical Geography, Macquarie University
Australian Research Council-Linkage Grant

Macquarie University is involved in a large-scale experimental river 
rehabilitation program in the Upper Hunter Valley, NSW.  Attempts to 
rehabilitate damaged ecosystems reveal inadequacies in theories describing 
ecosystem structure and function.  For rivers it is unclear whether 
theories relating to fluvial geomorphology and ecosystem dynamics are 
adequate to predict system trajectories following rehabilitation.  This 
Linkage program is testing theoretical predictions about changes to 
biophysical patterns and processes through revegetation of the riparian 
zone and replacement of large woody debris in in-stream habitats to develop 
improved ecosystem-based rehabilitation guidelines.

The research is multi-disciplinary, and the successful candidate will work 
as part of a team (including aquatic and terrestrial ecologists and fluvial 
geomorphologists).  This PhD project will examine reach- and 
catchment-scale sediment fluxes.  Key research areas include: 1) scales of 
sediment storage features in supply-limited river systems, 2) frequency of 
sediment reworking on the channel bed, bars and benches, 3) hydraulic 
modeling applications, 4) biophysical interactions associated with 
variability in sediment fluxes (cross-disciplinary work with other PhD 
candidates).

Applicants must be Australian/New Zealand citizens or eligible Australian 
residents, and have at least an upper second class honours degree in 
geomorphology, geology, earth sciences or environmental engineering.

Further information: Associate Professor Gary Brierley (ph. 02 9850 8427, 
<mailto:gbrierle at mq.edu.au>gary.brierley at mq.edu.au).  Scholarship 
application forms may be downloaded from 
<http://www.ro.mq.edu.au/hdru/forms.htm>www.ro.mq.edu.au/hdru/forms.htm. 
Written applications to Scholarships Officer, Higher Degree Research Unit, 
Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109 by 21 November 2003.