Fully Funded EPSRC PhD Studentship at Keele University in Partnership with
The Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment of the
Italian National Council of Research (IREA-CNR)
Title : Inversion, Modelling and Analysis of GPR in Near-Surface
Environments (IMAGINE)
Supervisors: Dr Nigel Cassidy (Keele), Dr Lorenzo Crocco(IREA-CNR) &
Prof. Peter Styles (IREA-CNR)
Research Group : Applied and Environmental Geophysics
http://www.esci.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/index.php
Planned Start Date : Feb 2007
Fully funded for 3 years, full-time. Student Stipend of £12,300pa (tax
free) plus fees paid at UK/EU rates.
Keele Ref. Number : EPSAM 2006-04
CLOSING DATE 31st Jan 2007
Project Outline:
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most popular ground
investigation techniques with, arguably, the widest application range of
all the geophysical methods. Unfortunately, the evaluation,
interpretation and analysis of GPR data is a hit-and-miss affair,
particularly in complex environments and advanced processing, imaging
and/or visualisation techniques are often required before even the most
basic interpretations are made. Numerical modelling (which simulates the
propagation of the GPR waves in the ground) and Inversion (which attempts
to automatically determine the shape, location and properties of a buried
target from the recorded GPR signals) have both been successfully applied
to real and experimental near-surface GPR data over a range of problem
scenarios.
This PhD studentship project will attempt to integrate these two
methodologies into a single programme of research that will develop, new
innovative solutions to the problem of GPR data interpretation and provide
users with a robust, sophisticated alternative to more conventional
analysis techniques. Work will focus on the key application areas of
landmine detection and discrimination, services mapping and
characterisation (particularly leaking non-metallic fuel, water and sewage
pipes) and the identification, location and characterisation of buried
building foundations and/or similar structures. The research will utilise
data collected from real-world situations with the goal of producing an
analysis and interpretation technique that is practical, efficient and
comprehensively tested.
Under the supervision of Dr Cassidy (Keele) and Dr Crocco (IREA-CNR) the
PhD student will be responsible for the development and testing of the
combined modelling-inversion scheme in real-world situations with U.K.
based field data collection. Training and expertise will be provided in
GPR data collection, processing and interpretation, the
implementation/development of the inversion and modelling methods and the
programming skills necessary to develop, operate and test the techniques
on the Group’s new GRID enabled supercomputer cluster. Generic and
transferable postgraduate research development and training will also be
provided through the EPSRC approved, Keele-based PGR student training
scheme.
Candidate Profile :
Essential - Honours degree (2:1 or better) and/or Masters in Geophysics,
Electrical Engineering, Computational Sciences or Applied Mathematics.
Strong mathematical ability.
Desirable : Background or experience in one or more of the following
areas: GPR, Numerical modelling and/or inversion techniques, Matlab/C++
programming. Experience of research in a laboratory environment
Further Information
Contact Dr Nigel Cassidy. Tel. 01782 583180
Email: [log in to unmask]
Application Process
In order to be considered for a studentship, an application form for PhD
study must be completed “Application Form Postgraduate Research
Degrees” plus an additional “Application form for a
studentship or bursary” indicating that you wish to apply for this
EPSRC tied studentship and detailing your suitability for the award.
Full details of application procedures for study are on the Keele website
www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool or contact The Graduate School for an
Application Guide and application form (Graduate School, Keele University,
Staffordshire, ST5 5BG. Tel: 01782 584368, email: [log in to unmask])
--
Dr Nigel Cassidy
Lecturer in Applied and Environmental Geophysics
School of Physical and Geographical Sciences
William Smith Building
Keele University
Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, U.K.
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Internal tel. 3180 --- Tel : 01782 583180 --- Fax : 01782 583737
[log in to unmask]
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