[Aqualist] 2 x PhD positions at Massey University, NZ

[Holt, Katherine]

Greetings all,
Just jumping on the bandwagon for advertising more positions available in the Quaternary space. I did send these earlier in the month, but thought I should recirculate. It ended up in my own junk folder the first time, so I figured it might have ended up in other peoples’ too. Please forward on to anyone who may be interested.

Regards
Kat Holt

Project details
We are seeking candidates for two fully funded PhD projects to develop pollen-based proxy reconstructions of relative changes in UV-B flux within the Holocene. Both projects will involve high-resolution sampling of lake sediment records for pollen, followed by FT-IR analysis to determine
abundance of UV-B absorbing compounds (UACs) in the extracted pollen samples. One project will focus on the record from a New Zealand site (Lake Ohau) and the other on the record from a site in Turkey (Nar Gölü). The aim of both projects is to investigate nature and timing of variations in UACs in the context of changes in solar activity (e.g. grand maxima and minima) and other processes which may impact the levels of UV-B reaching the Earth’s surface. This research is part of a wider project entitled “Unlocking centuries’ worth of surface UV-B radiation hidden in pollen”, funded by
the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi Marsden Fund.

Both positions will be based in New Zealand, at Massey University’s Palmerston North campus, in the School of Agriculture and Environment.
These positions are open to all domestic overseas applicants and international applicants currently based in New Zealand as well as those international applicants currently based overseas.

Ideally, candidates would have experience with pollen analysis. However, we would also consider those who have experience with one or more of the use of:

  *   lake sediment records to investigate Holocene/Late Quaternary climate change,
  *   spectroscopy (particularly FT-IR),
  *   and/or UV radiation and related atmospheric processes.

Ideally, candidates should also have experience in the handling of large datasets within R or similar packages.

Scholarship funding is in the form of a 3-year scholarship with a minimum stipend of $27,500 NZD (tax-free) per year and payment of student fees. In addition, research-related expenses and research equipment will be supported. For more details, or to apply, please email Dr. Kat Holt (k.holt 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 (12 March 2021).


Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography | Palynology Lab Manager | Major Leader for BSc Geography |Te Wāhanga Putaio  Environmental Sciences Group | Te Kura Mātauranga mō Ahuwhenua me Te Taiao School of Agriculture and Environment |Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa Massey University | Private Bag 11222 | Papaioea Palmerston North |Aotearoa New Zealand |T 64 6 951 6535| F 64 350 5632 | E k.holt at massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.holt at massey.ac.nz>
Profile<http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=789930>
Twitter: @pollenkat
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