Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$33,511pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
This project will use data assimilation and ice sheet model calibration to improve the projection of sea level rise from Antarctica. Working in a team of researchers funded by the Australian Research Council, the candidate will use the Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM), developed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as the basis for this work (see https://issm.jpl.nasa.gov/).
The calibration will consider the sensitivity and time-varying response of the Pine Island, Thwaites, Totten and Denman glaciers to forcing specified by climate reanalysis. The calibrated ISSM model configuration will then be used to project the future of these glaciers under various climate scenarios. These four glaciers are expected to dominate Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise this century, and the projections made in this project will help refine such estimates based on a novel approach to data assimilation and model initialisation. The work falls under the ARC funded Discovery Project "Rapid response of Antarctic ice streams to decadal climate perturbations".
The sea level projections from this work will inform national and international sea level assessments, such as the National Climate Risk Assessment in Australia and the IPCC. The project will enable the candidate to develop skills in Antarctic research, numerical model development, data assimilation and code development, as well as written and oral communication.
The project will build expertise in ISSM which has a growing user group in Australia after its selection as the ice sheet model of choice in Australia's national earth system climate model, ACCESS.
This exciting project allows a candidate to work on a pressing societal problem and involves collaborations with leading ice sheet modellers in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
- A Batchelor's degree with honours or a Master's degree
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Strong theoretical background in physics, maths, engineering or Earth science. Experience of programming with python or Matlab
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience of working with numerical models, including finite element models
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Prof Poul Christoffersen to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 February 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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