We welcome applications for the following PhD opportunity which stretches across both physical and human geography. Please pass on this information to any potential candidates.
Cheers, Michelle
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Department of Geography,
University of Otago, NZ
Funded PhD studentship opportunity
“Seismic shaking, sustained post-earthquake risk and land use planning: West Coast New Zealand”
Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship that is part of a translational research programme examining spatial and temporal distributions of post-seismic sedimentary hazards and their implications
for emergency preparedness and land use planning. This on-going programme of research extends the successful work of Professor Sean Fitzsimons and Dr Jamie Howarth related to the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of lake sediments and the development
of records of seismic shaking and enhanced erosion following earthquakes. Seismic shaking in mountain landscapes generates thousands of landslides that trigger a cascade of hazards, forced by the pulses of sediment derived from the mountains and delivered
to alluvial fans and rivers (Dadson et al., 2003; Davies and Korup, 2007; Robinson & Davies, 2013). These hazards present a sustained post-earthquake risk to New Zealand’s productive agricultural land and infrastructure within and adjacent to steep topography.
The sedimentary hazards cascade is generated by episodes of increased sediment flux produced by earthquake-induced landslides (Robinson and Davies, 2013; Howarth et al., 2012; Hovius et al., 2011; Koi et al., 2008; Lin et al., 2008; Dadson et al., 2003). The
principal changes are rapid aggradation of alluvial fans and floodplains, resulting from river instability, and increases in the magnitude and frequency of debris flows (Yu et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2014). These hazards are initially triggered by earthquakes
but may persist for years to decades longer than an aftershock sequence (Robinson and Davies, 2013; Howarth et al., 2012; Howarth et al., 2014; Hovius et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2015). Such post-seismic sedimentary hazards are a recognised issue in the vicinity
of the South Island Alpine Fault, but the lack of specific information is limiting preparedness.
Quantifying hazard risk is the first step in clarifying and assessing potential societal consequences. Together, detailed and specific risk and consequences information will better enable appropriate
decision-making. Such information feeds into planning processes that concomitantly take account of collective expectations, notions of acceptability and adaptability, and resilience in the face of possible and likely hazards. Devising various means to connect
these physical and societal constituents of hazards management is indispensable in order to achieve sustainable social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes. This will necessarily involve establishing pathways for meaningful debate, community engagement
and local democratic process. Therefore, the research programme aims to increase the knowledge base related to risks in the area and to design effective, acceptable long-term mitigation and planning approaches. This programme builds on existing collaboration
between the Department of Geography at the University of Otago and GNS Science.
The PhD is an opportunity for an early career scientist to work on understanding post-seismic hazards and the information pathway required to transfer knowledge to relevant stakeholders. The primary
objectives are to:
* evaluate the hazard associated with post-seismic activity. Although these hazards have been recognised they have yet to be systematically evaluated; and
* ensure the outcomes can be easily translated into practical mitigation strategies and effective resilience planning.
The student will be based in the Department of Geography, University of Otago under the supervision of Professor Sean Fitzsimons (Geomorphology), Associate Professor Michelle
Thompson-Fawcett (Planning), with Advisor input from Dr Jamie Howarth (GNS Science). The scholarship is valued at NZ $25,000 p.a. (tax exempt) for three years, and includes a tuition fee waiver and the funding of attendance at at least one international conference.
It is expected that the candidate will hold a high quality Honours or Master’s degree in Physical Geography or Geology (including experience in regard to sedimentary hazards),
have experience or strong interest in environmental risk management and planning, be able to demonstrate previous research success, and be able to conduct research within an interdisciplinary team environment. Both domestic and international candidates are
encouraged to apply. A strong academic record is required, with all relevant grades in the A range. Applicants must meet the University’s selection criteria for entry into the PhD, which can be found at:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/research/graduate/otago017999.html?tryReload=0
Any enquiries about this PhD opportunity can be directed to Professor Sean Fitzsimons ([log in to unmask])
or Associate Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett ([log in to unmask]). Applicants should
send their curriculum vitae (including contact details for two referees) with a cover letter (two pages maximum) and academic transcripts to Associate Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett ([log in to unmask])
by 1 February 2016.
