PhD Studentship Opportunity:
Multi-Frequency Polarimetric Microwave Scatterometry of Arctic Sea Ice
Position Description:
The focus of the research to be undertaken will be the development and application of spaceborne multi-frequency, multi-resolution remote sensing datasets for improved characterization of Arctic snow covered sea ice geophysical processes over the annual cycle. Emphasis is placed on enhancing the existing capacity of spaceborne multi-frequency, multi-resolution polarimetric microwave scatterometry for determining critical timings associated with the thermodynamic evolution of sea ice during the spring-summer seasonal cycle and determining regional scale variations of the thermodynamic and geophysical processes operating at the air-ocean interface. Special emphasis on determining the snow water equivalent (SWE) on first-year sea ice will be of particular importance. The objectives for this Ph.D. studentship will be focused around (1) development of a robust methodology for estimating snow thickness distributions on first- year sea ice (FYI) from time series surface-based polarimetric scatterometer data and provide ‘up- scaled’ estimates using polarimetric spaceborne SAR data (ie. RADARSAT-2) and (2) developing a set of methodologies to infer the surface optical/radiative (albedo) properties of sea ice throughout the spring melt season from time series polarimetric microwave scattering. Opportunities for field work in sea ice camps (Cambridge Bay, NU) or on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen are likely in 2015 and/or 2016.
Award Details:
• This studentship is valued at $25,000 (CDN) per year for 4 years for domestic students and $30,000 (CDN) per year for 4 years for international students and is to begin in September 2014 or January 2015.
• You will join a dynamic group that involves cold regions researchers and a large, collaborative team of Arctic sea ice scientists specializing in polarimetric microwave sensing.
• The overall research program is funded by NSERC, PCSP and the University of Calgary. The cost of your research activities will be covered through these sources.
• Current Master’s students completing their degree and entering a PhD program as a new student are eligible.
This studentship is funded by the University of Calgary’s Eyes High Doctoral Student Recruitment program. The University of Calgary has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada's top five research universities by 2016, where innovative teaching and groundbreaking research go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both serve and lead. The strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by our Gaelic motto, which translates to 'I will lift up my eyes'. We are increasing our scholarly capacity by investing in people who want to change the world, bringing the best and brightest to Calgary to form a global intellectual hub and achieve advances that matter to everyone.
Requirements:
• You hold a masters degree in Geography, Earth or Environmental Sciences, Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• You have an entering GPA of at least 3.5 on the 4 point scale (or equivalent) in your last two years of study
• You are intellectually curious, driven, have technical aptitude
• You have experience in undertaking field research and are interested in working in the Arctic
Application Process:
Please submit your letter of interest, CV, transcripts and contact information for three referees to:
Professor John Yackel
Department of Geography
University of Calgary
Application Deadline: March 31, 2014
For additional information about the University of Calgary see: http://www.ucalgary.ca/, the Department of Geography see: http://geog.ucalgary.ca/ or John Yackel see: http://www.ucalgary.ca/ccrg/
Dr. John Yackel
Professor and Head
Department of Geography
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
Tel: 403-220-4892
Fax: 403-220-6561
twitter @melting_sea_ice
Dr. John Yackel
Professor and Head
Department of Geography
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
Tel: 403-220-4892
Fax: 403-220-6561
yackel@ucalgary.ca
https://geog.ucalgary.ca
twitter @melting_sea_ice
