Current PhD opportunities with BUFI

The following opportunities are proposals for projects that will be put before the BUFI Committee in February 2013. If you are interested in any of the proposals please get in touch with the relevant BGS or University project supervisor.

Re-Imagining The Subsurface: Geo-visualisation through Gaming

This project will explore the potential of computer game technology to render geological representations of the subsurface. The background context to the research is that popular misconceptions of the geological subsurface appear to be at the heart of public resistance to a range of geoengineering projects that exploit underground spaces (e.g. radwaste disposal, CCS, geothermal). Despite comprehensive subsurface datasets and sophisticated visualisation tools, non-specialist audiences lack readily graspable portrayals of the ‘land’ below ground. Augmented reality and gaming software provide a novel means to create realistic depictions of the geological subsurface which can be applied widely in geoscience communication.

BGS Project Supervisor Dr Bruce Napier

University Supervisor Prof. Iain Stewart, Plymouth University

The processes, rates, and timescales of caldera collapse: a case-study in the Arran Central Ring Complex

Caldera-forming eruptions are catastrophic geological events (e.g., an eruption at Yellowstone could lead to ≥10⁶ global fatalities).  Calderas form when an eruption causes decompression of a magma chamber followed by gravitational ‘roof’ collapse into the evacuating magma reservoir.  However, since young and active calderas are often flooded or filled by eruptive material, we do not fully understand how these magmas form, reach the surface and erupt, or the rates and timescales over which collapse occurs.  The relationships between surface products, the caldera floor, bounding faults and sub-surface magma conduits can be directly observed in a shallowly eroded Palaeogene caldera on Arran. Given this unique opportunity to investigate a poorly-known caldera, we propose an integrated field and geochemical study to resolve these problems and inform volcano hazard models.

BGS Supervisor Dr Kathryn Goodenough

University Supervisor Dr Andrew C Kerr, Cardiff University

Stable isotope biogeochemistry of methane in UK groundwater prior to shale gas development

The proposed study will contribute valuable new data to the BGS baseline survey of groundwater CH₄ in regions of the UK where shale gas exploration and exploitation are likely to occur in the future.  The collaboration with Bristol University will focus on stable isotope characterization of groundwater CH₄ to establish its origin and to evaluate factors influencing the stability of CH₄ concentration and d¹³C and d²H values in groundwater prior to shale gas development.

BGS Supervisor Dr Daren Gooddy

University Supervisor Dr Edward Hornibrook, University of Bristol

Basin margin architecture of the UK northern North Sea and its implications for Carbon Capture & Storage

Knowledge of the North Sea basin margin sequence although poorly understood is essential to inform CCS projects. This research investigates the stratigraphy and structure of the north-western margin of the UK northern North Sea, presents the basin margin geological architecture and its implications to the secure storage of CO₂ in Cenozoic and late Mesozoic saline aquifer sandstones. The results will define the distribution of storage site reservoir strata, seal rocks, structures and the effect of the tectono-stratigraphical evolution at the basin margin which is crucial to understand the up-dip migration and secure containment of CO₂ injected into a saline aquifer.

BGS Supervisor Martyn Quinn

University Supervisor Dr Mark Wilkinson , University of Edinburgh

Assessing the role of late Holocene climate in shaping soft sediment coastlines and quantifying the impacts of a rapidly changing climate on the coastlines of the future

Through the coupling of climate, landscape and coastal evolution models, the successful applicant for this joint Duke-BGS studentship will explore the spatial and temporal complexity of terrestrial-coastline sediment flux interactions through the late Holocene for soft sediment coastlines. The sensitivity of coastal systems, in particular estuarine environments, to climate change and the impact of fluvial sediment supply on coastal stability, will be investigated. These responses will also reflect the influence of rapidly changing future climate and direct anthropogenic impacts on fluvial discharge to the coast for the coming century, all of which are likely to affect erosion patterns, sediment fluxes, and ecology. Outcomes may assist in the development of more informed coastal management and planning policy.

BGS Supervisor Dr Andy Barkwith

University Supervisor Prof. Brad Murray, Duke University, USA

To determine and understand the detailed palaeogeography of the Lower Thames Estuary (LTE) alluvial sequence in respect of the geotechnical implications of these Holocene age sediments

Through the coupling of climate, landscape and coastal evolution models, the successful applicant for this joint Duke-BGS studentship will explore the spatial and temporal complexity of terrestrial-coastline sediment flux interactions through the late Holocene for soft sediment coastlines. The sensitivity of coastal systems, in particular estuarine environments, to climate change and the impact of fluvial sediment supply on coastal stability, will be investigated. These responses will also reflect the influence of rapidly changing future climate and direct anthropogenic impacts on fluvial discharge to the coast for the coming century, all of which are likely to affect erosion patterns, sediment fluxes, and ecology. Outcomes may assist in the development of more informed coastal management and planning policy.

BGS Supervisor Dr Helen Reeves

University Supervisor Dr Ian Jefferson, Birmingham University

Late Pleistocene proglacial lacustrine environments within the Vale of Pickering: a dynamic yardstick for the growth and collapse of the Last British-Irish Ice Sheet

Understanding the behaviour of modern ice masses is central to understanding complex feedback processes operating within the global climate system and especially climatic / environmental / sea-level change. However, a failure of ALL modern ice sheet models is their inability to predict the dynamics of ancient glaciations in Earth History. The Last British-Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS), which reached its maximum extent by 27 ka BP and collapsed by 15 ka BP, is seen by many scientists as an excellent glaciological analogue for modern ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica. Knowledge of its evolution is currently being used to build a large-scale, long-term glaciological (numerical) model (the NERC-funded BRITICE-CHRONO project) of its dynamics led by the University of Sheffield with BGS also part of the project consortium - the mechanics of this model will be directly applicable to studying modern ice masses. Whilst the behaviour of many northern sectors of the Last BIIS are increasingly understood, comparatively little is known about the Southern North Sea and eastern sectors which were areas of extensive and highly dynamic ice stream activity.  Proglacial lakes are increasingly recognised as important archives of past glacial dynamics. The Vale of Pickering, which remained ice-free during the Late Devensian, was occupied by an extensive proglacial lake developed between the North Sea ice stream and Pennine ice lobe and offers a unique opportunity to examine the growth and collapse of the eastern section of the Last BIIS. The aim of the project is to develop a geological and chronological model for the evolution of Glacial Lake Pickering, linking it directly to ice which dammed it and thereby gaining a greater understanding of the dynamic behaviour of this sector of the ice sheet.

BGS Supervisor Dr Jonathan Lee

University Supervisor Prof. Mark Bateman, University of Sheffield

Development of a UAV-based landslide monitoring system

Landslides present a significant hazard to infrastructure, property and human life. Underlying processes are often poorly understood, and can be difficult to predict, while climate change adds a further dimension of uncertainty. Earth scientists require reliable observations to better interpret processes and constrain predictive models. Most often this relates to geotechnical and geophysical sensors (e.g. piezometers, tiltmeters, pore pressure sensors, electrical resistivity tomography, etc.). However, typically it is surface deformations which highlight underlying failure. Assessment of surface processes is important in guiding effective distribution of sub-surface sensors. Further, the coupling of surface and sub-surface observations offers the strongest ensemble data for interpreting landslide behaviour past, present and future. Techniques such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), airborne lidar, photogrammetry and satellite remote sensing have all previously been employed for landslide assessment. However, the oblique incidence angle of TLS often leads to data occlusions. Airborne surveys are generally cost-prohibitive for repeat landslide monitoring, and the effectiveness of satellite imagery is limited by cloud cover and spatial resolution. As an emerging technology, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sensor platforms offer exciting new opportunities to capture surface processes at high spatial resolution, on-demand and at low-cost. The School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG) at Newcastle University (NU) has extensive experience in developing tailored geomatics solutions for measurement and monitoring applications in the earth sciences. This research will explore the potential of a mini-UAV for landslide assessment, and will integrate the resultant surface observations with sub-surface datasets to provide an enhanced environment for interpretation of landslide behaviour. This will be achieved through optimisation of the UAV sensors, and will utilise an existing digital elevation model (DEM) matching algorithm to provide a framework for the development of analytical tools enabling interpretation of landslide processes over time.

BGS Supervisor Dr Jonathan Chambers and Dr David Gunn

University Supervisor Dr Pauline Miller and Prof. Jon Mills, Newcastle University

 

ESRC +3 studentship: Investigating public engagement with environmental change: the role of place attachments and environmental values

The College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Exeter is pleased to offer a +3 studentship funded by the ESRC and the British Geological Survey as part of the Environment, Energy and Resilience interdisciplinary pathway of the South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) for entry in 2012/13. Successful applicants will benefit from working within a lively research environment within Geography (Streatham Campus, Exeter) at the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter.

Palaeohydrology of a rapid climate change event at the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on October 1st 2012.

The closing date of 18th May 2012.

Glacier-to-foreland hydrological coupling at a maritime glacier, Iceland

The School of the Environment, University of Dundee invites applications from prospective PhD students for a 3.5-yr fully funded BGS-NERC/Dundee studentship to commence in Autumn 2012.

Closing date: 1st of June 2012.

Peat's secret archive: reconstructing the North Atlantic storm frequency and volcanic eruption history of the last 10,000 years

The School of Natural Science, University of Stirling invites applications from prospective PhD students for a 3.5-yr fully funded BGS-NERC/Stirling studentship to commence in Autumn 2012.

The closing date of 27th April 2012.

Fully funded PhD position: Geological controls on the distribution and abundance of invertebrate groundwater fauna

Applications are invited for a fully funded 3.5 year PhD to investigate the geological and hydrogeological controls on the distribution of invertebrate stygobites (groundwater animals) in the UK. This highly interdisciplinary study is based at Roehampton University and the Groundwater Science programme of the British Geological Survey and provides a unique opportunity to work on an unusual and poorly understood ecosystem.

Application form

Guidance notes for applicants

Closing date: 16 March 2012

Fully funded PhD position: Development and application of geophysical tools for imaging geotechnical property changes during development of near surface shear zones

This project will develop new approaches to monitoring slope failure using integrated geotechnical-geophysical sensor technologies. The project will establish methodologies for analysing the spatial and temporal coherence of time series geotechnical data from distributed sensor networks and time-lapse volumetric images gathered using high resolution electrical tomography. Ultimately, the project aims to identify development of low strength zones from the spatial and temporal material property change sequences associated with a shear failure event.

Closing date: 15 March 2012

Fully funded PhD position: Late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental reconstruction from Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania) using stable isotopes

This project will involve laboratory-based analysis at the NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (NIGL) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Keen interests/experience in stable isotope geochemistry and sedimentology are essential. University and NERC postgraduate training courses will be undertaken.

Closing date: 29 February 2012

ESRC Doctoral Training Centre +3 Studentship: Investigating public engagement with mineral extraction: the role of place attachment and environmental values Ref: 929

The College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Exeter is pleased to offer a +3 studentship funded by the ESRC and the British Geological Survey as part of the Environment, Energy and Resilience interdisciplinary pathway of the South West Doctoral Training Centre for entry in 2012/13. Successful applicants will benefit from working within a lively research environment within Geography (Streatham Campus, Exeter) at the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter.

Closing date: 17 Febuary 2012

Theme	Team	Title	Supervisors
Environment & Hazards Closing date was: 29/10/2010	Environment & Hazards	Community Resilience to Geological Hazards in the Solomon Islands: Harnessing Local Knowledge and Shared Experience.	Open University: Dr Nigel Clark & Dr David Humphreys, Leicester University: Professor Mike Petterson, British Geological Survey: Dr Susanne Sargeant
Minerals & Waste Closing date was: 10/09/2010	Mineral sustainability	Active and ancient geothermal systems in Tethyan ophiolites as examples of novel solutions for natural CO2 sequestration.	University of Leicester: Dr Gawen Jenkin, British Geological Survey: Dr Jon Naden & Dr Mike Styles, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre: Dr Adrian Boyce
Climate Change Closing date was: 03/05/2010	Climate Change	The role of the North Atlantic Oscillation in driving climatic variability during the Late Holocene.	University of Exeter: Dr Richard Jones & Dr Liam Reinhardt, British Geological Survey: Dr Mike Ellis
Environment & Hazards Closing date was: 30/04/2010	Abandoned mine and Contaminated Land	The geomicrobiology of coal mine drainage – microbes, green rust and the factors controlling iron mineralogy in coal mine drainage.	University of Aberystwyth: Dr William Perkins, Dr Gareth Griffiths, DR Kevin Hallberg University if Bangor Dr Barrie Johnson. British Geological Survey: Dr Jenny Bearcock and Dr Barbara Palumbo-Roe
Spatial Geoscience Technologies Closing date was: 19/04/2010	Geophysical tomography	4D Geophysical Monitoring of Landslide Processes	University of Leeds: Dr William Murphy. British Geological Survey: Dr Jonathan Chambers
Environment & Hazards Closing date was: 26/03/2010	Environmental geosciences baseline	Microbial response to soil chemistry defined by the Tellus dataset, Northern Ireland.	University of Manchester: Dr Richard Pattrick, Dr Jon Lloyd, Dr Andrew Tye (British Geological Survey) and Dr Carolyn Pearce at PNNL Washington state
Energy Closing date was: 31/07/09	Regional hydrocarbon prospectivity	Primary biological controls on UK lower Namurian shale gas prospectivity: understanding a major potential UK unconventional gas resource	University of Leicester, Dr Sarah Davies Dr Mike Stephenson (British Geological Survey - BGS), Professor Melanie Leng (NERC Isotopes Geoscience Laboratory), Dr L. Angiolini (Università degli Studi di Milano), Dr Sarah Gabbott (UoL), J.H.S. Macquaker (Memorial University, Newfoundland), Dr C. Vane (BGS), Dr. D Millward (BGS) and Dr I. Kane (University of Leeds)
Minerals Closing date was: 31/07/09	Minerals for development	Magmatic, structural and tectonic controls on Cu-Au mineralization in the Solomon Islands arc, SW Pacific	University of Leicester, Prof Mike Petterson (UoL), Prof D Saunders (UoL), Dr Gawen Jenkin (UoL), Dr Jon Naden (BGS), Dr Dan Smith (BGS) and Dr Gus Gunn (BGS)
Energy Closing date was: 14/07/09	Renewable and clean coal	How do Geothermal Fields Relate to Contact Aureoles: A Field and Experimental Study	Professor Bruce Yardley (University of Leeds) and Dr. Chris Rochelle (BGS)
Marine Geoscience Closing date was: 12/06/09	Continental Margins	A comparison of the geological, geodynamic and rheological evolution of the northern and southern Rockall Basin using a 3D modelling approach	Keele University, Stuart Egan (KU), Stuart Clarke (KU), Geoff Kimbell (BGS), Howard Johnson (BGS) and Ken Hitchen (BGS)
Climate Change Closing date was: 12/06/09	Coastal Change	Determination of glacial processes from lake sediments within Lake Windermere	University of Southampton, Prof Jonathan M Bull (UoS), Dr Carol Cotterill (BGS), Dr Justin Dix (UoS), Dr Chris Vane (BGS)
Environmental Geoscience Baselines Closing date was: 31/03/09	Geochemical Baselines	The Fate of Contaminants in Urban Soils and Road Dusts: Novel Assessments and Implications for Risks.	Manchester Metropolitan University, Professor K Taylor and Dr J Cheng (MMU) and Dr N Breward and Dr F Fordyce (BGS).
Spatial Geoscience Technologies Closing date was: 28/03/09	Theoretical geophysics	Electrical Tomography Optimisation for High-Resolution Imaging of Glacial Sediments.	Swansea University, Dr B Kulessa (Swansea) and P Wilkinson (BGS).
NIGL Closing date was: Mid Mar 2009		Resolving conflicting models for the tectonic assembly of the Eastern Himalaya.	Open University, T Argles, N Harris and S Kelley (Open University) and R Parrish (BGS).
Minerals & Waste Closing date was: 06/03/09	Minerals for development	Development of geochemical and mineralogical methods for targeting lower environmental impact secondary copper deposits in the Troodos Massif, Cyprus.	NERC Open CASE award with the Natural History Museum, Dr Richard Herrington, Camborne School of Mines, Dr Ben Williamson and the British Geological Survey, Dr Jon Naden