The Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, is now seeking enthusiastic and talented Ph.D students to undertake empirically-constrained numerical ice-sheet modelling experiments that will investigate present-day as well as (past and future) warmer-world ice-sheet dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica.
The research falls under the broad topic of:
"Predicting Antarctic Ice Sheet evolution using models and observational data"
Research projects will span a range of temporal and spatial scales as appropriate, will employ a variety of models of differing complexity, and may also require successful applicants to spend time in Antarctica acquiring new data.
Although the research will focus on Antarctic ice-sheet simulations, it is envisaged that students will also interact with other modellers and field scientists at New Zealand, Australian, and international institutions in order to develop the broader skills necessary to undertake the research.
Outcomes from the envisaged research projects may include all or some of the following:
1) High-resolution flowline simulations of Antarctic outlet glaciers and adjoining shelves under present-day and warmer-than-present past/future climates;
2) Three-dimensional simulations of all or part of the Antarctic continent, exploring sensitivities to climatic boundary conditions and incorporating modern observational data where available;
3) Transient ice-sheet simulations for future climate states as predicted by IPCC RCPs;
4) Time-slice or transient simulations of the Antarctic ice-sheet for periods of the geological past when CO2 levels and / or air temperatures were elevated above present (Miocene Climatic Optimum, Pliocene Warm Period, Last Interglacial etc).
Skills:
Applicants must have a strong background in the Earth Sciences, ideally with a numerical focus. Good computational skills will be necessary, and experience of UNIX / Linux systems is essential. Programming abilities in any of the usual languages will be a distinct advantage.
Applications:
Expressions of interest or requests for further information can be made at any time to Dr. Nick Golledge (nick.golledge@vuw.ac.nz). At this time we have some funding available through existing programmes, but encourage all applicants to apply for a VUW scholarship. This can be done easily through the Victoria University applications and scholarship system:
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/fgr/prospective-phds/how-to-apply
We wish to have successful applicants starting in mid to late 2015, and thus encourage applications for the 1 March and 1 July scholarship rounds. Scholarship decisions are made within 6 weeks of these dates.
The Antarctic Research Centre:
The ARC is a research centre within the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington. We specialise in geological, glaciological, and climate-based science both in and around Antarctica, and have been involved in field-based Antarctic research expeditions every year since 1957. More information about our research and the people involved in it can be found at http://www.victoria.ac.nz/antarctic .
The research falls under the broad topic of:
"Predicting Antarctic Ice Sheet evolution using models and observational data"
Research projects will span a range of temporal and spatial scales as appropriate, will employ a variety of models of differing complexity, and may also require successful applicants to spend time in Antarctica acquiring new data.
Although the research will focus on Antarctic ice-sheet simulations, it is envisaged that students will also interact with other modellers and field scientists at New Zealand, Australian, and international institutions in order to develop the broader skills necessary to undertake the research.
Outcomes from the envisaged research projects may include all or some of the following:
1) High-resolution flowline simulations of Antarctic outlet glaciers and adjoining shelves under present-day and warmer-than-present past/future climates;
2) Three-dimensional simulations of all or part of the Antarctic continent, exploring sensitivities to climatic boundary conditions and incorporating modern observational data where available;
3) Transient ice-sheet simulations for future climate states as predicted by IPCC RCPs;
4) Time-slice or transient simulations of the Antarctic ice-sheet for periods of the geological past when CO2 levels and / or air temperatures were elevated above present (Miocene Climatic Optimum, Pliocene Warm Period, Last Interglacial etc).
Skills:
Applicants must have a strong background in the Earth Sciences, ideally with a numerical focus. Good computational skills will be necessary, and experience of UNIX / Linux systems is essential. Programming abilities in any of the usual languages will be a distinct advantage.
Applications:
Expressions of interest or requests for further information can be made at any time to Dr. Nick Golledge (nick.golledge@vuw.ac.nz). At this time we have some funding available through existing programmes, but encourage all applicants to apply for a VUW scholarship. This can be done easily through the Victoria University applications and scholarship system:
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/fgr/prospective-phds/how-to-apply
We wish to have successful applicants starting in mid to late 2015, and thus encourage applications for the 1 March and 1 July scholarship rounds. Scholarship decisions are made within 6 weeks of these dates.
The Antarctic Research Centre:
The ARC is a research centre within the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington. We specialise in geological, glaciological, and climate-based science both in and around Antarctica, and have been involved in field-based Antarctic research expeditions every year since 1957. More information about our research and the people involved in it can be found at http://www.victoria.ac.nz/antarctic .
