ONE Planet DTP - Global warming and the future of ice caps (Ref: OP202054)

Ice caps are one of the fastest changing part of the cryosphere. It is estimated that ice caps and glaciers can contribute between 35-40cm of sea level rise. Currently, the contribution of glaciers and ice caps to sea level change in greater than that of the whole of Antarctica and comparable if not larger than the contribution of Greenland.
This project focuses on improving our understanding of the factors controlling the ice-flow of ice caps, and on quantifying the importance of ice-flow dynamics in shaping their future response to global warming. Ice-flow models combined with inversions of data on surface topography and surface velocities will be used to estimate ice-flow parameters. Formal Bayesian methodology allows quantification of uncertainty in retrieved fields.
The study focuses on the Hofsjökull ice cap, Iceland, where exceptionally good recent data sets on ice-flow velocities and topography are available. However, the results of the project will be applicable to other ice caps. One of the key goals is to estimate uncertainty in predations of future ice loss due to uncertainty in ice-flow parameters.
Most of the data used will be based on remote sensing and is already available. There is scope for gathering additional in-situ data for validation purposes.
Estimation of model parameters related to ice rheology and basal motion and how these affect modelled future evolution is of particular interest.
Prerequisites:
An interest in ice-flow modelling is an essential. A first degree in math/physics (or similar) is a desirable. Willingness to conduct fieldwork under extreme hostile conditions (Iceland in summer) is a desirable.
For more information, please contact G. Hilmar Gudmundsson ([Email Address Removed]).

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. OP.....) will not be considered.

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