United Kingdom – University College Cork PhD Studentship in Geoinformatics and Climate Change
University College Cork
PhD Studentship available
Can Geoinformatics be used to Predict the Coastal Response to 21st Century Climate change?
Following the award of an EPA PhD studentship, the Geography Department of University College Cork is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified applicant for a doctoral studentship for three years commencing on or near 1st October 2008. The studentship covers university fees at the EU level, and an annual stipend of €18,000.
Within Ireland, coastal habitats are amongst the most vulnerable to changing climatic conditions, due to competing effects of sea level rise, increased storminess, changing meteorological conditions, and the subsequent loss/introduction of plant and bird species. The coastal margins of Ireland are also of great importance from an economic, agricultural, social and heritage perspective. Thus it is essential to develop the technologies for predicting the effects of climate change with respect to those areas that are most at risk.
This project aims to address that issue by considering the potential benefits of integrating remotely sensed data derived from satellite, airborne and field sources, with other spatial information. Automated image processing routines will be developed in order to better understand the coastal system at present. Through scenario testing of potential climatically induced terrestrial, marine and meteorological changes, the response of different coastal habitats will be modelled to provide greater insight into the present and future functioning of marsh, dune, lagoon and estuarine environments along the Cork coastline. The use of geovisualisation for communication of results to local interest groups will also be explored.
The student will join a multidisciplinary team in the Earth Observation and Visualisation Research Cluster of the Geography Department at University College Cork, but will also have the opportunity to work with researchers based at UCC’s Coastal and Marine Resources Centre.
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in an Earth, Environmental or Engineering Science discipline, or an MSc. Experience in geoinformatics, quantitative environmental science, coastal processes and in undertaking fieldwork would be an advantage. A clean driving license is also desirable.
For further information or informal discussion about the position please contact the supervisor Dr Fiona Cawkwell (e-mail: f.cawkwell@ucc.ie, telephone: +353 (0)21 490 2707).
Applicants should send a copy of their CV, with the names and addresses of 3 referees, plus a brief statement outlining their academic interests and their reasons for wishing to undertake this research project to Fiona Cawkwell ( f.cawkwell@ucc.ie).
Closing date for applications is 4pm Friday 25th July 2008.
Further Details and application form
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