[Aqualist] PhD project, Lincoln University, NZ

[Tim Barrows]

PhD Program

Testing hypotheses of Southern Hemisphere 
glaciation using paleoclimate proxies derived 
from pedogenic carbonate isotopic composition.

Soil and Physical Sciences Group
Agriculture and Life Sciences Division
Lincoln University
New Zealand

Applications are invited from suitably qualified 
applicants to conduct PhD research within the 
Soil and Physical Sciences Group at Lincoln 
University.  The Group is part of The Agriculture 
and Life Sciences Division, the largest Academic 
Division within Lincoln University.
The nature of the drivers of glaciation in the 
Southern Hemisphere is one of the key questions 
in paleoclimate research and New Zealand is 
ideally situated to answer this question. This 
project will test hypotheses of causes of NZ 
glaciation by deriving quantitative 
paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature records 
from pedogenic carbonate in loess on the dry east 
coast regions of New Zealand. We envisage that 
paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature data will 
place constraints on dominance of various 
synoptic conditions and temperature depression. 
Specifically, the successful candidate will 
gather ä13C and ä18O records from pedogenic 
carbonate from South and North Island sites to 
provide proxy climate records. Age control will 
be provided by radiocarbon dating. Transfer 
functions to produce quantitative paleoclimate 
data will then be derived using two approaches; 
firstly, a modern analogue approach, and secondly 
by collecting, instrumenting and sampling 
lysimeters to be stored in Lincoln University’s 
world class lysimeter facility to determine the 
relationships among ä13C CO2 and ä18O H2O and 
soil temperature, soil respiration rate, and soil moisture deficit.

The project will be carried out at Lincoln 
University.  Funding is available to cover 
operating costs. The intention is for the 
candidate to take a Teaching Assistant position 
in the Soil and Physical Sciences Group in year 
one; thereafter the candidate will be supported 
in applying for a scholarship to shift to 
full-time study.  Fees are covered in the 
Teaching Assistant position.  Details of 
scholarships are available from 
http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/scholar or by contacting 
Jane Edwards (edwardj1 at lincoln.ac.nz ).

Preference will be given to applicants with an 
undergraduate or masters degree in earth or 
environmental sciences, with experience in soil 
science, geochemistry, Quaternary geology, 
geomorphology, or physical geography.


For further details, contact Dr. Peter Almond 
(almondp at lincoln.ac.nz ), Dr. Carol 
Smith  (smithc2 at lincoln.ac.nz ), or Dr Tim Clough (Clought at lincoln.ac.nz)