Reconciling glacial debris supply, transport and remobilisation in deglaciating catchments (Advert Reference: RDF18/GES/WESTOBY)

Debris-covered glaciers are common features of the worlds’ glacierised regions and are characterised by a mantle of surface debris over large portions of their ablation zone, which is sourced primarily from the glacier headwall and valley flanks. Debris cover dynamics are a focal point for glaciological research given its significance for controlling glacial ablation and mass balance, and also due to the increasing areal coverage of supraglacial debris cover in many glacierised regions in response to climatically forced glacier recession.

Key processes controlling the development of supraglacial debris cover remain poorly understood, including the quantification of historical, contemporary, and future rates of catchment debris supply, primary and secondary debris transport pathways and fluxes (supraglacial, englacial), and the extent and significance of primary dispersal and secondary debris remobilisation on glacier surfaces and bounding moraines for controlling topographic evolution and rates and patterns of sub-debris ice ablation.

This research project will reconcile these components of the glacier debris system at high spatial resolutions across Alpine glaciers through the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), repeat terrestrial- and drone-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetric surveys, and quantitative geomorphological analysis, leading to the development of empirically derived, predictive models of debris supply, transport, and evolution under conditions of deglaciation. Full training in these techniques will be provided.

The successful candidate will be supervised by staff in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Engineering and Environment) and will be aligned to the Cold and Palaeo-Environment Research Group (https://coldandpalaeo.wordpress.com) and the Extreme Environments Multidisciplinary Research Theme (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/research-themes/theme-3/).

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.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

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. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.