Climate-Driven Morphodynamic Change in Estuaries and Tidal Basins
Subject(s)Engineering, Science, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences.
DegreeDoctor of Philosophy
SupervisorAssociate Professor Julia Mullarney
About this opportunity
Applicants for this opportunity must be eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation funding.
Estuaries and tidal basins are dynamic environments characterised by non-linear interactions and feedbacks between tidal processes, meteorological forcing, sediment supply and transport, and pre-existing large-scale morphology. These valuable coastal marine environments are susceptible to future climate change. This PhD topic will be designed in collaboration with the supervisory team, but will be in the broad field of future morphological functioning of shallow estuarine systems, and the examination of how future changes in sediment supply, sea-level rise and changes in wind climate may alter the dynamical balances in the system.
It is anticipated that the primary methodological approach will be numerical modelling (with a range of options including hydrodynamic, CFD, wave and atmospheric models), but there is also a possibility to undertake field measurements using our extensive array of world-class equipment.
The student would join a vibrant group of staff and PhD students, and have access to world-class research facilities. The successful candidate will be based at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Location
Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand
Scholarship Value
Funding package includes a University of Waikato PhD tuition fee waiver for up to 4 years, plus Ministry-funded support paid directly to the student, including a monthly stipend of AU$3,000, annual study allowance of AU$1,350, and one-off project allowance of AU$4,420.
Eligibility
Eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation funding.
The candidate should also have:
1. a research Masters degree, preferably in physics, mathematics, hydrology, oceanography, engineering, or a closely related field (with demonstrated numeracy skills), with at least one of the following:
- Research experience involving hydrodynamics, and/or sediment transport.
- Experience in aquatic or oceanographic fieldwork, or numerical modelling of fluid dynamics, and data processing.
2. Demonstrated English language skills (if English is not your first language, TOEFL or IELTS scores should be submitted with your application if available).