[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD opportunity: New Zealand-based Antarctic ice-ocean interactions research

[Inga Smith]

Kia ora fellow Earth scientists!

We have an exciting opportunity for a PhD student to join my team in Aotearoa New Zealand to work on instrumentation for making supercooling measurements in Antarctica. The project is funded through the Marsden Fund, and is a collaboration with Dr Britney Schmidt (Georgia Tech, USA), Professor Lars Smedsrud (University of Bergen, Norway), and Dr Greg Leonard (University of Otago, New Zealand).

This Dunedin, New Zealand-based University of Otago PhD opportunity is open to international applicants who can meet the visa requirements for New Zealand, as well being open to New Zealand citizens and New Zealand permanent residents. This opportunity is a fully-funded PhD scholarship that consists of a tax-free stipend and tuition fees for three years. The stipend is for three years at a rate of $NZ 27 500 per annum tax-free. Tuition fees for three years are also covered.

Further details are available below.

Please note the closing date 11 February 2019 (5pm NZ time). Applications must be made via email for this opportunity.

A Research Fellow (=senior postdoc) opportunity on the same project has already been advertised on Cryolist last week (with a different closing date and a different application process).

I am happy to answer any specific questions by email:
inga.smith at otago.ac.nz

Nga mihi

Dr Inga Smith
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physics
University of Otago

Otepoti Dunedin

Aotearoa New Zealand



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PhD opportunity: New Zealand-based Antarctic ice-ocean interactions research

The PhD project

This position is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s leading sea ice research groups as a PhD student on the Marsden Fund project “Supercooling measurements under ice shelves”. The aim of the project is to construct a novel instrument for making high precision supercooling measurements in ice-laden ocean waters.

Application deadline: 5pm 11 February 2019 New Zealand time

PhD stipend: $NZ 27 500 per annum tax-free for three years. Tuition fees are also covered for three years.

Project description:
We know less about the oceans beneath Antarctic ice shelves than we do about Mars’ surface. Beneath the Antarctic sea ice and ice shelves, sea water is often colder than its freezing point temperature, yet still liquid. Such water is called “supercooled” sea water. Snap-freezing of supercooled sea water and small free-floating ice crystals known as “frazil” are fundamental obstacles to obtaining high-precision measurements of key ocean parameters. This project aims to construct a novel instrument; the High Precision Supercooling Measurement Instrument (“HiPSMI”). This instrument will be optimised for harsh Antarctic ocean conditions and installed into an innovative, modular underwater robot, “Icefin”. The instrument will determine the influence of frazil crystals on measurements of in situ supercooling.

This project is an engineering and interdisciplinary sciences project led by Dr Inga Smith (University of Otago) in collaboration with Professor Lars H. Smedsrud (University of Bergen, Norway), Dr Britney Schmidt (Georgia Tech, USA), and Dr Greg Leonard (University of Otago). Dr Smith will be the lead supervisor for the student, with co-supervision from other members of the research team (Dr Schmidt for parts related to Icefin, Professor Smedsrud and Dr Leonard for parts of the project related to frazil modelling and detection). There is flexibility for the student to develop their own research, within the parameters of the project. The student will be enrolled in the University of Otago PhD programme:
https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/qualifications/phd.html.

During the three years of the PhD, the student will:
•           Work closely with another PhD student who is assessing salinity and temperature measurements made with conventional sensors.
•           Undertake crystal detection analysis and modelling.
•           Determine the effects that frazil has on salinity and temperature measurements through modelling and laboratory experiments, including coldroom experiments.
•           Work closely with a research fellow on construction of HiPSMI.
•           Work closely with a research fellow and Dr Schmidt’s team to integrate HiPSMI into Icefin.
•           Analyse results using Matlab, Python, and R.
•           Write and submit abstracts arising from the research for appropriate national and international conferences.
•           Write and submit manuscripts on the research results for international peer-reviewed journals, in addition to a thesis.
•           Undertake international travel and Antarctic fieldwork if required.

Required Skills and Experience
The successful applicant must have:
•           A bachelor’s (with a research component) or master’s degree majoring in physics, engineering, electronics, physical oceanography, or a related discipline.
•           The ability to work with a wide variety of researchers across disciplines.
•           The ability to work with some direct supervision (weekly, hour-long meetings), whilst setting priorities and managing their own time effectively in order to submit the PhD thesis after three years and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
•           A willingness to engage in two-way discussions related to Vision Matauranga through participation in hui/discussions organised by The University of Otago’s Te Koronga: Indigenous Science Research Theme. Taiao (environmental sustainability) is a core part of Vision Matauranga.
•           A willingness to take direction and advice regarding the scientific research conducted from the research fellow and the PhD supervision team.
•           Meet all the requirements for admission to the PhD programme at the University of Otago, see: https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/qualifications/phd.html.

Preferred Skills and Experience
•           Familiarity with Southern Ocean and high latitude sea ice and ocean observational measurements.
•           Excellent electronic design and computing skills.

Our Department and Location
The Department of Physics at the University of Otago has a vibrant research environment, with strengths in sea ice physics and geoscience research as well pure and applied physics, electronics and energy studies. The University of Otago is located in Dunedin, the wildlife capital of New Zealand, with sandy beaches 10 minutes drive from campus, and penguin, sea lion, and albatross viewing an hour’s drive from campus. Dunedin is the largest city in the scenic Otago province, with cultural amenities such as marae, public museums, art galleries, libraries, cinemas, theatres and cultural events such as an annual international film festival. Dunedin is a UNESCO designated City of Literature.

Further Details
This PhD opportunity is open to international applicants who can meet the visa requirements for New Zealand, as well being open to New Zealand citizens and New Zealand permanent residents. This opportunity is a fully-funded PhD scholarship that consists of a tax-free stipend and tuition fees for three years. The stipend is for three years at a rate of $NZ 27 500 per annum tax-free. Tuition fees for three years are also covered.

Questions?
Specific enquiries may be directed to Dr Inga J. Smith, Department of Physics via the contact details below:
inga.smith at otago.ac.nz
Further information on the Department of Physics can be found here. http://www.otago.ac.nz/physics/index.html

How to apply
To apply, please email Dr Inga Smith (inga.smith at otago.ac.nz) the following:
(1)   scans of academic transcripts;
(2)   a copy of your full CV including any publications and the names and contact details of two referees;
(3)   a one-page cover letter detailing how your skills and experience match those required for the PhD opportunity and why you are interested in the PhD opportunity.
Additional material may be requested for short-listed applicants, but should not be submitted at the initial application stage.

Applications will close at 5pm 11 February 2019 New Zealand time.




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