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. ------------------- Internal tel. 3180 --- Tel : 01782 583180 --- Fax : 01782 583737 [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________