[Aqualist] PhD opportunity in sea level reconstruction

[Rewi Newnham]

Hi Roland,


Yes an oversight, but not fatal. I meant for them to apply by email to either you or me. I should have been more explicit about that but I guess anyone interested will contact either of us anyway.


Going forward, I am intending to advertise in Research Gate or Earthworks. Both charge a fee (Research Gate - $US500 and am waiting for a price from Earthworks). Let me know if you have a preference. I will change to say send email applications just to me.  Note that I have put deadline for these applications back to end of April. Gives a little more time to cast the net and also may allow you and I to undertake interviewing together during your NZ visit. Also, I need to clarify our operating budget with Tim Naish and that will depend upon how the various pieces of his master jigsaw  are configured - the situation with Bruce is just one of several he is juggling with.


In any case, I'm sure we'll be able to pay your return flights from Auckland so lets plan for that.


Cheers

Rewi


________________________________
From: Aqualist <aqualist-bounces at anu.edu.au> on behalf of Rewi Newnham <rewi.newnham at vuw.ac.nz>
Sent: Thursday, 22 February 2018 12:01:31 p.m.
To: aqualist at anu.edu.au
Cc: Roland Gehrels
Subject: [Aqualist] PhD opportunity in sea level reconstruction

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We are seeking suitable applications for a fully-funded PhD position now available at Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. Please feel free to circulate the following.

With thanks,
Rewi Newnham & Roland Gehrels

Sea-Level Reconstructions at subsiding coastlines in New Zealand
Project Description
Satellite and tide-gauge observations from around the globe show sea level rising at accelerating rates that are projected to continue. Whilst the underlying causes are well understood, much less certain is how different coastal areas will be affected. In tectonically active New Zealand, subsiding coastal areas will exacerbate the effects of ice melt and thermosteric expansion. Recent GPS observations provide a basis for constraining vertical land movement (VLM) and targeting high-risk coastlines, but - much like the recent sea-level observations - they need to be evaluated in a longer term context. For example, we do not know if the direction of VLM observed at one locality has been maintained beyond the few decades for which observations exist.
This project aims to address the problem with a two-pronged approach. First, it will compare existing decadal (instrumental) and centennial (geological) records for sea-level change in New Zealand with recent GPS observations for VLM to provide a national scale assessment of the tectonic impacts of recent sea-level rise. Second, and guided by this first task, the project will develop new centennial-scale sea-level reconstructions at a small number of targeted sites where VLM is likely to have been significant. This second phase of the project will include a substantial amount of fieldwork and labwork, applying proxy methods for reconstructing sea-level change from microfossils (foraminifera and, possibly, diatoms) preserved in salt-marsh sediments.
The outcomes of this PhD project will inform local sea-level projections and, more generally, coastal infrastructure providers, national policy statements and hazards and planning guidance documents. This project is also part of a much wider research programme aimed at determining how future sea-level rise will affect New Zealand's coasts.
The studentship will be based at Victoria University of Wellington, but with provision to work for ca. 3 months at University of York, UK. Depending on available skills and experience, the successful applicant will receive training in palaeoecological techniques, modelling, dating methods, and field techniques. The supervisory team includes Victoria supervisors Prof. Rewi Newnham and Dr Andrew Rees (New Zealand Quaternary, modelling and statistical analysis) and Prof. Roland Gehrels at the University of York (UK) (sea-level reconstruction and salt-marsh geology). The project is open to students with a Masters degree in Physical or Environmental Geography, Geology, Environmental Science or a closely-related subject. Relevant field and lab skills and interests in sea-level and climate change are obviously a plus. Experience in using R for analysing environmental data would be beneficial.
Funding Notes and Application Procedure
Fully funded for 3 years, the studentship covers an annual stipend of $NZ25,000, research costs, and tuition fees. Studentships are available to non-resident New Zealand students (language requirements apply for non-native English speakers).
To apply, please send CV, a brief (one page max.) account of why this position interests you and the names of two academic referees who we may contact in support of your application. Applications close: April 30th 2018
Further inquiries to Rewi Newnham: rewi.newnham at vuw.ac.uk<mailto:rewi.newnham at vuw.ac.uk> or Roland Gehrels: roland.gehrels at york.ac.uk<mailto:roland.gehrels at york.ac.uk>




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