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The Fault Analysis Group of the UCD School of Geological Sciences, University College Dublin, invites applications for a PhD-project entitled " Discrete Element Method (DEM) modelling of the kinematic evolution of submarine landslides". Project outline: Large-scale gravitational collapse is a common mass wasting process in the evolution of the Earth’s continental margins, including the European Atlantic margin where numerous large-scale submarine failures have been recognized from the southwest coast of Ireland to northern Norway. This project will involve two principal elements: (i) kinematic analysis of submarine landslides from high quality datasets and (ii) mechanical modelling of landslides using Discrete Element Method (DEM) approaches. Analysis of the geometry and kinematic evolution of landslides from multibeam, seismic and well data will utilise the full range of structural geological tools for 3-D subsurface datasets. Quantitative definition of the evolution of a selection of submarine landslides will provide a basis for constructing conceptual models of landslide kinematics and a backdrop to Discrete Element Method (DEM) modelling of the emplacement behaviour of large-scale offshore landslide complexes. DEM simulates the deformation, faulting and fragmentation of rock masses, and is widely used in the mining and geotechnical industries: its application to the geosciences is on the increase. Combining the structural analysis of natural submarine landslides with both 2D and 3D DEM modelling approaches, this project will investigate the significance of key geometric and mechanical variables on the initiation, evolution and final architecture of submarine landslides including: [i] the inter-relationship between slope stability and the orientation of geological layering; [ii] the impact of erosion and oversteepening adjacent to potential emergent slide surfaces, [iii] mechanical properties and anisotropies of the slide body, [iv] frictional properties of potential slide interfaces, including the effects of pore fluid over-pressure and dynamic friction. Supervisors: John Walsh (UCD), Mike Long (UCD), Martin Schöpfer (UCD), Koen Verbruggen (Geological Survey of Ireland). Qualifications: Minimum requirements are an upper-second class Bachelor degree or an MSc degree in an appropriate science or engineering discipline. Terms: The PhD position is for 4 years and must start no later than 1st February 2012. The research is part of the Earth and Natural Science PhD Programme (www.ucd.ie/earth/graduatetraining/phdprogrammeinearthandnaturalsciences/), funded by the Irish National Development Plan. The programme will include training modules in generic and discipline-related skills. The studentship includes EU fees and a tax-free annual stipend of €16,000: non-EU applicants will be charged additional fees of c. €6,000 per annum that are not covered by the funding programme. Further information and application: Further details can be obtained by emailing John Walsh ([log in to unmask]). The application deadline is 21 December 2011 and the application (using project code MOD9) must be made through: www.ucd.ie/earth/graduatetraining/phdprogrammeinearthandnaturalsciences/applyingforaphdposition/. For further information about Geological Sciences at University College Dublin, please visit the websites of the Fault Analysis Group (www.fault-analysis-group.ucd.ie) and the School of Geological Sciences (www.ucd.ie/geology). John Walsh Fault Analysis Group School of Geological Sciences Science Centre (West) University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland Tel: 00-353-1-716 2169 Fax: 00-353-1-716 2607 www: www.fault-analysis-group.ucd.ie