[Aqualist] Fully-funded PhD position on large landslides in New Zealand

[Sam McColl]

*PhD in Physical Geography / Geoscience*

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD available in the
Geosciences Group at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, on
the topic of:* Evaluating the long-term activity and sediment delivery of
large, soft-rock landslides in New Zealand.*

This is an opportunity to join a major MBIE-funded Research Programme
with Manaaki
Whenua - Landcare Research <https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/home> and Massey
University <https://www.massey.ac.nz/>, New Zealand. The research programme
‘Smarter Targeting of Erosion Control’ is aimed at helping to quantify the
sources and nature of erosion and sediment delivery in the New Zealand
landscape and to inform better ways to manage erosion problems. This PhD
project is to tackle one part of the research programme, *to assess the
pre-historical activity of deep-seated landslides in the soft rock terrain
of New Zealand. *Thousands of large landslides have been mapped within the
soft-rock terrain of New Zealand, and many of these are likely active
today, causing erosion, sediment delivery to rivers, and damaging land and
infrastructure; check out this time-lapse video
<https://t.co/BSL56resXB?amp=1> of one of these landslides in action. The
size of these landslides (some occupying entire farms) and the connectivity
of these to the rivers that tend to destabilise them, makes them a
potentially significant source of sediment delivery that has been poorly
accounted for in sediment budgets to date. Assessing the modern-day
movement rates and sediment delivery of large soft-rock landslides is the
focus of one of the existing PhD projects within the programme. The
advertised PhD project is complementary to this, helping to put the
modern-day landslide activity into wider context - little is known of
whether the stability and movement rates of such soft-rock landslides have
changed over time, in response to land-use or climate changes. The project
will involve geomorphological mapping of selected landslides, dating the
landslides by coring sediments and organics accumulated in lakes within the
landslide bodies, and reconstruction of past landslide movement and
long-term sediment delivery.




*Requirements*

Candidates will have an excellent (ideally 1st class) MSc or BSc Hons
degree in Physical Geography or Earth Science, or a related subject, with a
strong background in mass movement / landslide processes / or landscape
evolution.  Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential, and
experience/skillsets in at least one of the following is highly desirable:
geomorphological mapping especially mapping of landslides; sedimentology,
coring and core-logging, radiocarbon dating or tephrochronology, and
modelling. This research will require significant time in the field in
challenging terrains. Therefore, applicants will need to be physically fit,
and comfortable in the outdoor environment. Candidates will ideally have a
track-record of research with one or more publications. All who are
interested in this PhD opportunity should also ensure they meet the
university’s generic PhD eligibility criteria
<http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/research/higher-research-degrees/how-to-apply-for-the-phd/how-to-apply-for-the-phd.cfm>
 before applying.





*Award*

Scholarship funding is in the form of a 3-year scholarship with a minimum
stipend of $25,000 NZD (tax-free) per year and payment of (domestic or
international) student fees at Massey University. In addition,
research-related expenses and research equipment will be supported.


*Supervision Team*

The candidate will join the Geosciences Group within the School of
Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North.  The
supervisory team will comprise Dr Sam McColl
<http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/about/agriculture-environment/staff-list.cfm?stref=677250>,
Prof.  Ian Fuller
<http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=543830>, Dr Kat
Holt
<https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/college-of-sciences-staff/college-of-sciences-staff-by-location/college-of-sciences-staff-by-location_home.cfm?stref=789930>,
Dr Alastair Clement
<https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/college-of-sciences-staff/college-of-sciences-staff_home.cfm?stref=814250>
(Massey
University) and (Dr Hugh Smith
<https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/about/people/staff-details?id=c21pdGho>)
(Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research) and would be based in Palmerston North
<https://www.manawatunz.co.nz/>, New Zealand.   Massey University Geography
(as a natural science) has been ranked in the top 200 in the latest QS
Global Rankings. You will be joining a world-class team of researchers.



*Application Procedure*

To apply, please email Dr. Sam McColl (s.t.mccoll at massey.ac.nz) with a full
C.V. (with the contact details of three referees), a copy of any relevant
academic transcripts (i.e. list of completed courses with grades), and an
accompanying letter of application detailing how your experience,
background and qualification are suited to this position. Shortlisted
candidates will be notified within two weeks of the closing date.



*Closing date*

Sunday 5th April 2020.

*Start date*

Funding is available immediately and ideally the candidate will be able to
begin before July 2020.



*More information*

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Sam McColl (
s.t.mccoll at massey.ac.nz), Geosciences Group, School of Agriculture &
Environment, Massey University +64 6 951 7201.

Dr Sam McColl. Senior Lecturer, Geosciences Group, School of Agriculture
and Environment, Massey University.
Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4412. P: +64 6 951 7201 E:
s.t.mccoll at massey.ac.nz  Office: AHB3.34 Staff profile
<https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/staff-list.cfm?stref=677250>