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Global assessment of glacier-landslide interactions and associated geo-hazards

Details
Code SD-NZS-G3
Organizational unit Doctoral School of Natural Sciences
Area/discipline Earth and related environmental sciences
Form of studies Full-time
Level of education Third cycle
Language(s) of instruction English, Polish
Admission limit 1
Duration 8 semesters
WWW address https://amu.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/rekrutacja/20232024
Required document
  • Documents entitling to study
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Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences beyond the limit of places

Project description:  

Objectives - Worldwide disappearing ice masses are iconic images often used to illustrate global climate warming. Glacier dynamics are commonly utilised as an indicator of climate changes; however, ice masses respond not only to changes in climate but also to other events (e.g., landslides, tectonic) in local environments. In this project, we focus on glacier-landslide interactions and associated hazards by studying their distribution at a global spatial scale. We will investigate how the landslides impact glacier dynamics by delivering a large quantity of debris onto their surface, which can be one of the potential causes of glacier instability. The main research problem we are trying to solve is the role of landslide-induced changes in glacier extent compared to pure climatically-driven glacial changes. This project aims to systematically examine and quantify the impacts of landslides on glacier dynamics based on examples representing different types of glacial landsystems. The main objectives of the project are (1) to investigate the global distribution of large landslides and rockfalls onto the glacier surface over the last several decades – based on medium-resolution satellite imagery; (2) to quantify landslide-induced changes in ice velocity and mass balance for selected case study areas based on time-series of high-resolution satellite imagery and digital elevation models; (3) to recognise the main mechanisms of changes in landslide-affected glacial landsystems based on modelling, field surveys and drone (UAV) for collection of detailed spatial data. 

Methods and expected results - The proposed research includes multi-scale investigations (global-, catchment- and glacier-scale) of landslide-induced changes in glaciers' behaviour. The project uses a multidisciplinary approach that integrates multi-data remote sensing observations (medium- and high-resolution satellite imagery, UAV-based imagery), geomorphological and sedimentological surveys with numerical modelling of glacier behaviour in a broad spectrum of glacial landsystems. Thus, the project will increase knowledge about: (1) spatial scale and the number of glaciers affected by landslides; (2) the role of additional supraglacial debris loading on the glacier dynamics and their extents; and (3) differences between climatic- vs non-climatic responses in glacial landsystems. The measurable effects of the project will be: (1) a research framework integrating a multi-data remote sensing approach to investigate the distribution and dynamics of landslide-induced glacier changes; (2) a database of the global distribution of landslide phenomena onto glacier surfaces; (3) quantification of changes in velocity and volume for landslide-affected glaciers. 

We invite applications from candidates interested in remote sensing, GIS, geomorphology and glaciology. Applicants must hold a Master's degree at the time of document submission. Demonstrated experience in working with remote sensing data and GIS is preferred. If you have additional knowledge of glacial geomorphology and glaciology, or previous field experience, that is a further advantage. The successful applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills. 

The successful applicants will join geomorphology research group at the Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (AMU), Poland (wngig.amu.edu.pl). Our Faculty is located just next to the AMU Sports Centre (swimming pool, sports halls, gym), and neighbouring parks and communal forests offer perfect opportunities for walking/running – so there is plenty of options for recreation during breaks or after work. Full research training in appropriate techniques (remote sensing, GIS, numerical modelling, field surveys) will be provided depending on the student's interests and needs. We will assist you in preparing grant applications and establishing cooperation with renowned research centres in Poland and abroad. You will also have the opportunity to participate in international conferences, courses and workshops to further improve skills related to the project and develop your future scientific career.  

There are two PhD positions planned in the project:

(A)    PhD-1 – PhD Student 1 will be responsible for researching glacier dynamics based on remote sensing data. The tentative scope of the PhD thesis is "Quantification of landslide-induced changes in glacier dynamics based on time-series of high-resolution satellite imagery". The project will be supervised by Marek Ewertowski (Adam Mickiewicz University, https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/I-6883-2012) and carried out in collaboration with internal co-supervisor Dr Jakub Małecki (Adam Mickiewicz University, https://glacjoblogia.wordpress.com/autor/) and external supervisors Professor David Evans (Durham University, UK https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/d-j-a-evans/) and Professor Jamie Shulmeister (University of Canterbry, New Zealand https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/contact-us/people/jamie-shulmeister.html). Tasks of PhD student 1 will include:

 ·         Selection of benchmark glaciers

 ·         Acquiring high-resolution satellite data

 ·         Development of time-series of digital elevation models and orthoimages to quantify landslide-induced changes in glacier dynamics

 ·         Quantification of pre- and post-landslide volume changes (mass balance)

 ·         Calculation of pre- and post-landslide velocities in different parts of glacial systems using feature tracking algorithms

 ·         Comparison of glacier dynamics between landslide-affected and "normal" glacial landsystems

 ·         Help in the preparation and realisation of the fieldwork

 ·         Help in data and metadata management

 ·         Preparations of research papers

 ·         Participation in conferences and workshops,

 ·         Development of personal research qualifications,

 ·         Dissemination of the project's results to a non-scientific audience (co-maintenance of the project webpage, social media accounts and public lectures)

 ·         Cooperation with other team members

 (B)    PhD-2 – PhD Student 2 will be responsible for the modelling approach to study glacier-landslide interaction. The tentative scope of the PhD thesis is "Modelling of landslide impacts on glacier dynamics based on high-resolution satellite imagery, UAV-generated data and field-based observations". The project will be supervised by Marek Ewertowski (Adam Mickiewicz University, https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/I-6883-2012) and carried out in collaboration with internal co-supervisor Dr Jakub Małecki (Adam Mickiewicz University, https://glacjoblogia.wordpress.com/autor/) and external supervisor Professor Stewart Jamieson (Durham University, UK https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/stewart-jamieson/). Tasks of PhD student 2 will include:

 ·         Theoretical identification of different processes related to landslide-derived debris loading (e.g., increase in driving stress, increase in the amount of meltwater, ablation reduction)

 ·         Numerical modelling of landslide impacts on glacier dynamics

 ·         Verification of modelling results using field-based observations and remote sensing data

 ·         Comparison of glacier dynamics between landslide-affected and "normal" glacial landsystems

·         Help in the preparation and realisation of the fieldwork

·         Detailed geomorphological and sedimentological investigations of landslide-derived debris and ground-truthing of remote sensing data

·         Help in data and metadata management

·         Preparations of research papers

·         Participation in conferences and workshops

·         Development of personal research qualifications

·         Dissemination of the project's results to a non-scientific audience (co-maintenance of the project webpage, social media accounts and public lectures)

·         Cooperation with other team members

 

 Principal investigator:             

dr hab. Marek Ewertowski, Prof. UAM – project NCN SONATA BIS 11 2021/42/E/ST10/00186

Selection Panel:      

1.    Prof. UAM dr hab. Marek Ewertowski – chairman

2.    Prof. UAM dr hab. Leszek Kasprzak

3.    Prof. UAM dr hab. Jędrzej Wierzbicki

4.    Prof. UAM dr hab. Małgorzata Mazurek

5.    Dr Aleksandra Tomczyk

6.    Mgr Paweł Kaczmarek - secretary

Recruitment:

·           acceptance of documents: from 3 to 14 July 2023

·         admission process: from 21 to 28 July 2023

·         announcement of the list of candidates qualified for admission: 11 August 2023

·          submission of paper documents: from 1 to 29 September 2023.

 

Additional recruitment

          acceptance of documents: from 4 to 15 September 2023

·         admission process: from 25  to 29 September 2023

·         announcement of the list of candidates qualified for admission: 2 November 2023

·         submission of paper documents: from 3 to 20 November 2023.

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

Two-stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. 

Required documents:

           An applicant for admission to a doctoral school shall register in the IRK (Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów – Candidate Internet Registration) system and submit documents in electronic form.
          Candidates are required to:  
1)    complete the registration form and attach an electronic photograph of 20 mm x 25 mm at a resolution of at least 300 dpi;
 
2)    specify the scientific discipline in which the candidate will be trained at the doctoral school;
 
3)    consent to the processing of candidate’s data for admission purposes;
 
4)    enter the results of the diploma examinations;
 
5)    attach a CV;
 
6)    attach a scan of a letter of motivation, signed in their own handwriting, indicating the scientific discipline in which the candidate wishes to obtain a doctoral degree;
 
7)    enclose a scan of a copy of a higher education diploma confirming the attainment of a qualification at level 7 of the Polish Qualifications Framework, or, in the case of graduates from the academic year 2022/2023, who have not yet been awarded a diploma, a certificate confirming the attainment of a qualification at level 7 of the Polish Qualifications Framework. In the case of candidates who apply for admission to doctoral school on the basis of the highest academic achievement, the following is required respectively: for graduates of first-degree studies, a diploma of completion of these studies with a supplement, and for students after the 3rd year of uniform master's studies, a certificate of the average point score obtained from years 1 to 3, together with a transcript;
 
8)    attach a scan of a hand-signed declaration that they do not plan to enrol in another doctoral school and that they do not hold a doctoral degree;
 
9)    attach a scan of a hand-signed statement of documented achievements and documents confirming these achievements - the achievements to be evaluated should be indicated:
 
a)    up to 3 - in the case of scientific achievements;
 
                     b)    up to 3 - in the case of other achievements; 
 
10)  attach a scan of a hand-signed proposal of an original research project, and in the case of admission in connection with the implementation of a research project - the author's concept of the implementation of the grant project, together with a bibliography (up to 8 pages of a standard typescript, max. 15,000 characters with spaces);
 
11)  attach a scan of the hand-signed application for admission to the doctoral school downloaded from the IRK system, 
              12) pay the enrolment fee.

           Candidates who have obtained the necessary education outside the territory of the Republic of Poland, shall additionally submit:

1)    a photocopy of a document which confirms their education, certified to be a true copy of the original document, i.e. a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of first cycle studies (Bachelor degree) and a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of second cycle studies (Master degree, MSc, MA) in the original language and in a certified translation into English or into Polish,

            2)    a photocopy of their passport.

       Evaluation criteria

The following shall be taken into account during the admission procedure:        

 1)    the grade awarded for the diploma of the second cycle studies or single cycle five year master’s studies - maximum 10 points; in the case of candidates who seek admission on the basis of superior academic achievements ("Pearls of Science") - 10 points;

 2)    evaluation of the candidate's scientific activity and scientific achievements; the candidate indicates for evaluation up to three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 15 points;

 3)    evaluation of the candidate's other documented activity, based on a maximum of three achievements consistent with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 5 points

 4)    the result of the interview, with the scope of the interview including:

 a)    the candidate's knowledge and competencies relevant to the planned research and appropriate to the indicated scientific discipline,

 b)    elements of research methodology appropriate for the discipline indicated.

 No more than 50 points can be awarded for the interview; the maximum duration of the interview is 30 minutes.

 5)    evaluation of the research project prepared and submitted for assessment to the selection committee (maximum 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

 a)    the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

 b)    research idea and the ability to propose a solution;

 c)    methodology appropriate to the discipline indicated;

                          d)    knowledge of the state of research with a basic bibliography. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Each candidate may be awarded a maximum of 100 points in the selection procedure.A candidate will be admitted to a doctoral school if he or she is awarded a sufficient number of points awarding a place on the ranking list, within the limit of candidates for a given scientific discipline; the candidate must also obtain at least 60 points from the entire selection procedure.

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.

Education begins on 31 October, 2023.

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Scholarships

Scholarship: 5000 PLN gross per month (about 3700 PLN net per month) for 48 months

 

 

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2023/2024, Appendix to Resolution No. 287/2022/2023 of UAM Senate of 30th  January 2023.