PhD position: geochronological applications to geomorphology

A PhD scholarship is available as part of the Australian Research Council funded project: Anabranching Rivers: the Arteries of Arid Australia led by Dr John Jansen (http://johnjansen1.blogspot.se/) and Prof. Gerald Nanson. The School of Earth & Environmental Science is the premier centre for quantitative geomorphology and Quaternary science in Australia with world-class facilities in optically-stimulated luminescence and isotope geochemistry. Starting date is 1 July 2013, or as agreed upon.

Project
The anabranching river pattern dominates the world’s largest lowland rivers and vast areas of arid Australia, yet no comprehensive explanation exists for why this is so. Anabranching remains the last river style to be fully investigated. A field-study of major Australian anabranching rivers, including their flow and sediment flux properties, will be coupled with drilling and dating the rich fluvial archives buried beneath them. Insights from these field-studies will be used to guide and calibrate a set of laboratory flume experiments aimed at determining the fundamental boundary conditions that drive this enigmatic river style.

The PhD project will focus on one aspect of the above, and it is expected that training in geochronological techniques (cosmogenic nuclide analysis and/or optically-stimulated luminescence dating) will play an important part. The PhD students will work closely with a team of researchers including Dr John Jansen, Prof. Gerald Nanson, and Dr Tim Cohen who will oversee the project within the GeoQuEST Research Centre & School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Wollongong (http://www.uow.edu.au/science/eesc/index.html). Full training in cosmogenic nuclide analysis will be supervised by Dr Toshiyuki Fujioka and Dr David Fink at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (http://www.ansto.gov.au/research/institute_of_environmental_research)

Qualifications
We are seeking applicants with a BSc(Hons), or Diploma, or MSc, or equivalent qualifications in geochemistry, geology, hydrology, or geomorphology. Some knowledge of quantitative geomorphology would be a distinct advantage but is not essential, along with some experience with laboratory work and desire for adventurous fieldwork.

Application
Expressions of interest should be directed to Dr John Jansen ([Email Address Removed]). Please send a cover letter outlining which aspects of the project are of most interest, and CV including the names/contact details of two referees to ([Email Address Removed]) no later than 22-March 2013.