PhD Student opportunities available in remote sensing

Online applications for PhD stipends (RPTS) are now open through the University of Adelaide.

The following higher degree research opportunities are available for domestic students who are interested in being supervised by experts in the field of remote sensing.

Remote sensing of ecosystem function

The PhD will investigate temporal physiological behaviour of key floodplain tree species in the Murray-Darling Basin. The research will address an issue of National importance and inform future management of environmental water. Collection of key ecophysiological parameters include water potential, stomatal conductance, sap flow, leaf area index as well as isotope sample collection and result analysis. Results will inform a spatial productivity model, to enable determination of climate change impacts on vegetation persistence and environmental flow requirements. The ideal candidate has a background in environmental sciences/biology or engineering with good oral and written communication skills and must enjoy field work and travel. Opportunities exist for International exchange.

Novel national radar detection of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs)

Groundwater extraction will increase as finite surface water resources exceed extraction limits. GDEs are at increasing risk of disconnection as groundwater drawdown exceeds plant abilities to produce deep roots to support surface ecosystems, directly impacting often unique biodiversity values. Temporal radar detection of GDEs will rapidly and economically identify GDEs and provide insight to their groundwater requirements, leading to increased mitigation planning associated with industrial extraction of groundwater (i.e. mining). Results will underpin the next generation GDE data provided in the GDE Atlas.

Scholarships

In addition to the stipend payment through Adelaide University, CSIRO offers top-up scholarships of A$7,000 per annum plus a generous research and travel allocation for two students with an interest in environmental remote sensing. These top-up scholarships for PhD projects are available from CSIRO for domestic students under joint supervision of Bertram Ostendorf (University of Adelaide) and Tanya Doody (CSIRO).

Supervisors

If you are interested in one of these two projects and believe that you may qualify for an Australian RPTS stipend, please contact:

• Bertram Ostendorf betram.ostendorf@adelaide.edu.au or


• Tanya Doody tanya.doody@csiro.au for more information.

Applications close 31 October 2019.