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* One Postdoc & two PhD Scholarships – Working with geomorphic and vegetative recovery in river and flood management – Sydney, Australia
Macquarie University invites applications for up to three positions in the rivers research group at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia led by Professor Kirstie Fryirs. The river recovery research project is fully funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage program and you will work in collaboration with our industry partners Landcare Australia and NSW Local Land Services (Hunter). You will also work closely with the other Macquarie University team members, Professor Michelle Leishman and Dr Tim Ralph, and with Professor Gary Brierley from University of Auckland.
Positions available
1) Postdoctoral Fellow (2.5 years full-time, fixed-term). Fluvial geomorphology and river management.
2) International PhD Scholarship. Flow hydrology, flood risk and natural flood management
3) Domestic PhD Scholarship. Riparian vegetation biogeomorphology.
Position descriptions and application process: See detail below for each position.
Specific Role Enquiries: Professor Kirstie Fryirskirstie.fryirs@mq.edu.au
ARC Linkage project description
After 200+ years of river degradation our rivers are now showing noticeable signs of geomorphic and vegetative recovery. River recovery is most pronounced in coastal valleys of NSW, Australia. However, foundation science is needed to understand the geomorphic and vegetative processes by which river recovery occurs, its impact on flood flow hydrology for natural flood management, trial new on-ground rehabilitation and vegetation management techniques (including the use of hazard reduction burns). It will investigate where corridors of recovery are in NSW, where to prioritise rehabilitation and the cost:benefit of working with recovery in river management practice. The science will be focussed in the fields of fluvial geomorphology, riparian vegetation ecology, flow hydrology and environmental economics.
There are 5 aims to the ARC Linkage project:
Aim 1) What geomorphic recovery are we seeing and why?
Aim 2) What has been the role of vegetative recovery?
Aim 3) What effect is recovery having on flood flow hydrology for natural flood management?
Aim 4) What is the cost:benefit of working with river recovery in practice?
Aim 5) What river management options are available to us to work with river recovery?
Position descriptions
1) Postdoctoral Fellow - Fluvial geomorphology and river management
Position open to: International or domestic candidate (2.5 years full-time, fixed-term appointment)
Closing date: Wednesday 9th September 11:55pm EST
Position description and selection criteria:
This position will focus on research Aims 1 and 5 with collaboration on Aims 2 and 3 where appropriate. This part of the project will characterise and quantify what geomorphic river recovery is, what it looks like in structural terms, the processes responsible, and undertake forecast modelling to determine the likelihood of recovery continuing into the future. This is both a field-based and modelling-based position.
Essential criteria:
- A PhD in Geomorphology, Physical Geography, Earth Science, Environmental Science or a related subject.
- A strong publication track record in fluvial geomorphology.
- Demonstrated experience in fieldwork design and execution.
- Demonstrated experience in historical analysis using various forms of aerial and satellite imagery.
- Demonstrated experience in Photogrammetry, Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience in HecRas modelling or equivalent.
- Ability to work within collaborative teams, with PhD students and/or Masters students and research assistants.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience in using science in applied contexts.
- Experience working with, or strong desire to, work with industry partners.
- Experience working on other academic tasks (e.g. teaching, grant writing, service).
Application process: Apply at https://www.goto.mq.edu.au/a8. You will be required to supply the following information:
- Cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable selection criteria.
- Full curriculum vitae including list of publication and awards.
- Copies of academic transcripts (including list of completed courses and grades).
- Contact details of two academic referees.
2) International PhD - Flow hydrology, flood risk and natural flood management
Position open to: International candidate to undertake a direct entry 3-year PhD program. This iMQRES scholarship is open to a non-Australian citizen or resident for a maximum of 3 years. It is comprised of a Tuition Fee Offset and a Living Allowance Stipend. The value of the full-time stipend is $28,092 per annum (in 2020 tax exempt - indexed annually).
Apply at: https://goto.mq/a6
Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 11:55pm EST
Position description and selection criteria:
To be eligible for this scholarship you will have a Masters by Research degree in Hydrology, Geomorphology, Physical Geography, Earth Science, Environmental Science or a related subject. You will also have a record of excellent academic performance and additional relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research, in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines. Refer to the Rating Scholarship Applicants section for more information about these guidelines.
This position will focus on research Aims 3 and 5 of the ARC Linkage project. You will investigate the effects of geomorphic and vegetative recovery on flow hydrology and what this means for high-flow flood risk assessment and natural flood management particularly under a changing climate. This is both a field-based and modelling-based position. You must have training in, or a strong ability in:
- Fieldwork design and execution
- Working with historical hydrological datasets, that may be of coarse resolution
- Working with large hydrological datasets, that may be of high resolution
- Modelling historical flood analysis and future flood forecasting
- Baseline understanding of the geomorphology of river systems
- Applications of science in applied contexts – e.g. flood risk assessment and natural flood management
- Working as part of an integrative team and with industry partners
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
3) Domestic PhD - Riparian vegetation biogeomorphology
Position open to: Domestic candidates to undertake a direct entry 3-year PhD program. The scholarship is only open to Australian and New Zealand citizens or residents for a maximum of 3 years. It is comprised of a Tuition Fee Offset and a Living Allowance Stipend. The value of the full-time stipend is $28,092 per annum (in 2020 tax exempt - indexed annually).
Apply at: https://www.goto.mq.edu.au/a7
Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 11:55pm EST
Position description and selection criteria:
To be eligible for this scholarship you will have a Masters by Research degree in plant ecology, botany, fluvial geomorphology, or a related subject. You will also have a record of excellent academic performance and additional relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research, in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines. Refer to the Rating Scholarship Applicantssection for more information about these guidelines.
This position will focus on research Aims 2 and 5 of the ARC Linkage project. You will track historical changes in riparian vegetation coverage and quality, characterise the type, and quantify the extent of returning riparian and instream vegetation. A range of aerial and satellite imagery will be used alongside field investigations of riparian vegetation composition and quality. A range of new technology including Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and satellite imagery such as Sentinel and Landsat will be used. This project will also undertake field-based experiments to test the effectiveness of hazard reduction and/or cultural burns as a riparian vegetation management technique. This project contains significant fieldwork. You must have training in, or a strong ability in:
- Fieldwork design and execution
- Australian vegetation identification
- Use of GIS
- Biostatistics
- Communicating with a range of stakeholders – particularly when working with local landowners or Indigenous custodians on hazard reduction or cultural burn experiments
- Working as part of an integrative team and with industry partners
- Applications of science in river management practice
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
About Sydney and Macquarie University
Sydney is a vibrant global power city rated in the world’s top-ten for economy, research and development, cultural interaction, live-ability, environment, and accessibility. Macquarie University is a major research-based institution situated in the heart of Sydney’s high technology precinct. It is considered one of Australia’s best universities and is rated among the top 1% of universities globally. Macquarie is a University engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation 54 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of University. Over the years, we’ve grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.
Macquarie’s departments of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences provide an outstanding research setting for the study of the environment and environmental management. We have world-leading research strengths in fluvial geomorphology, vegetation ecology, and pride ourselves on undertaking impactful science to inform river and environmental management.
At Macquarie University, we are committed to providing a working environment where each individual is valued, respected and supported to progress. Our priority is to ensure culture, policies and processes are truly inclusive and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, gender, culture, disability, LGBTIQA+ identities, family and caring responsibilities, age, or religion. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria and shares Macquarie University’s values of scholarship, empowerment and integrity to apply. Learn more about our progress towardsEquity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Further information about positions or projects
Name: Professor Kirstie Fryirs
Email: kirstie.fryirs@mq.edu.au
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