PhD Scholarship available in WaterSystems

Downscaling precipitation sequences under a future climate

A consequence of increased global temperatures associated with the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases is that the behaviour of the hydrological cycle must also change. In the context of precipitation, these changes are expected to include increased storm burst intensity, longer dry spells, and other changes in the characteristics of various precipitation generating mechanisms.

This study builds on previous work by our research team to develop ‘plausible' precipitation projections for a future climate at timescales ranging from minutes through to multiple years. The specific challenge of this PhD scholarship will be to develop a methodology to generate fine time-scale precipitation data which can be used for flood modelling, while also providing direct information on the confidence which can be ascribed to these projections. The proposed technique will draw on our knowledge of the links between precipitation patterns and atmospheric temperature, while also utilising the latest results from a diversity of climate modelling runs which will inform the coming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.

The PhD program will be based at the University of Adelaide, and will also include opportunities to interact with a research group at the University of NSW in Sydney, and possibly also at Columbia University, New York, USA. Over the course of the PhD the student will gain a diversity of skills in flood hydrology and climate science, statistical learning, computer programming, and the analysis and interpretation of complex environmental data.

The value of the scholarship will be $23,728 tax free (2012 rates) with a top-up for exceptional candidates of $5000 per year. Furthermore the student will have the opportunity to undertake tutoring activities, which is typically worth an additional $5000 per year (with the exact amount depending on tutoring load). The student also will have the opportunity to attend at least one domestic and one international conference during the course of his/her candidature.

Please contact Dr Seth Westra (swestra@civeng.adelaide.edu.au, or (08) 8313 1538) for further information.