Proposal of dissertation topics

deailed info is provided by supervisor. Contact details in the description of dissertation topics.

Earthquakes swarms mechanisms and the related seismic hazard

Supervisor: Prof. dr hab. inż. Beata Orlecka-Sikora

EARTHQUAKES SWARMS MECHANISMS AND THE RELATED SEISMIC HAZARD

Start date: 2022-10-01 End date: 2026-09-30

Deadline for submitting applications: 2022-06-20

The main focus of the PhD will be an analysis of earthquake swarm processes triggered in the natural seismogenic zones and associated with the exploitation of geo-resources. A number of physical mechanisms may trigger swarm-like seismicity in volcanic and tectonic environments, for example, aseismic processes and local transients, like creeping, slow slip events, magmatic intrusion and crustal fluid redistribution. The coseismic stress transfer can also contribute to the evolution of earthquake swarms. Although recent studies using high-quality geophysical data have provided insights into the physical processes that trigger earthquake swarms, the origin and seismotectonic significance of many swarms is still a matter of debate and far beyond a full understanding.

The PhD thesis will contribute to the investigation of physical mechanisms that cause earthquake swarms and to the assessment of seismic hazard related to swarm-like seismicity. The successful PhD candidate will develop skills in characterizing swarm-like sequences in terms of spatial and temporal evolution, scaling properties, and triggering processes, and in multi-disciplinary studies using seismological datasets, flow fluid data, deformation, and geology, laboratory and numerical models simulating the mechanical conditions yielding to swarm seismicity.

Requirements for candidates:

Master's degree in exact sciences (preferred physics), natural sciences (geophysics, earth sciences) or technical sciences and a positive result of recruitment for doctoral studies at the Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (until the beginning of work);
solid basis in the fields of mathematical modelling of environmental processes, statistics (candidates who graduated from physics, informatics and environmental science faculties are preferred);
experience in the numerical analysis of large data sets; programming skills (e.g. MATLAB, R, FORTRAN, PYTHON etc.); a good level of both written and spoken English is mandatory, together with good communication skills.

For more information contact Prof. Beata Orlecka-Sikora (orlecka@igf.edu.pl)

Please apply to the GeoPlanet Doctoral School

Satellite imagery to support flood risk modelling in large European rivers

PHD SCHOLARSHIP FULLY FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE OF POLAND

SATELLITE IMAGERY TO SUPPORT FLOOD RISK MODELLING IN LARGE EUROPEAN RIVERS

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Michael Nones

Start date: 2022-10-01 End date: 2026-09-30

Deadline for submitting applications: 2022-06-20

Damaging floods are increasing in severity, duration and frequency, owing to changes in climate, land use, infrastructure and population demographics. With the increasing availability of geospatial data and access to platforms that support multi-temporal analyses, the use of remotely sensed information for monitoring riverine hydro-morpho-biodynamics is growing. The opportunity to map, quantify and detect changes in the wider riverscape at an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution can be very supportive in river management and flood risk modelling. Despite the increasing opportunity to monitor riverine dynamics from satellite imagery, using free datasets like the ones available in Google Earth Engine, only a few studies have leveraged this information to improve the reliability of flood models.

Using the Vistula (Poland) and the Po (Italy) rivers as case studies, the project aims to i) investigate the fluvial Biomorphodynamics at a very high spatiotemporal resolution; ii) develop an innovative flood risk modelling chain to account for such changes, reproducing the fluvial environment more reliably. The project will consist of two parts (for each river):

satellite imagery analysis: GEE will be used for analyzing satellite-derived remote sensing imagery to derive fluvial dynamics at a sub-seasonal scale. GEE scripts will be created to derive a series of established multispectral indices to evaluate river evolution during the last 40 years. Multitemporal maps will be generated to show seasonal changes in i) vegetation; ii) exposed sediment; iii) water surfaces.
numerical modelling: iRIC is a free model that allows for simulating riverine dynamics at multiple scales, thanks to the opportunity to couple various solvers. For each river, a series of models will be created based on the available data and the GEE information, using a 2D solver, which allows for hydro-morpho-biodynamics simulations. Various multi-scale models will be applied for creating flood inundation maps of not only the entire river but also focusing on specific critical areas, based on past disruptive floods. A series of scenarios will be created and compared to flood evidence, to show that the concept of yearly return period and “fixed” river can lead to a non-correct representation of flood risk.

Tasks description

analysis of satellite imagery via Google Earth Engine, by creating ad-hoc scripts
numerical modelling of the study reaches, mainly via the Mflow_02 solver of iRIC
preparation of project proposals (e.g., internship) and involvement in ongoing initiatives both in Poland and in the UK
participation in international networks and initiatives;
reporting in national/international conferences, and via scientific articles.

Requirements

MSc in hydrology or geophysics or environmental sciences or technical sciences (engineering);
very good knowledge of hydrological processes, hydraulics, remote sensing, GIS;
very good knowledge of hydraulic modelling tools, with preference to iRIC;
programming skills in any computer language (e.g., Matlab, JavaScript, Python);
willingness to travelling, with a 6-month compulsory internship in Glasgow (UK)
very good knowledge of English;

A person who does not have a PhD degree and is not a participant of a doctoral school can enter the competition. A PhD student being a participant of the PRELUDIUM BIS project is obliged to obtain a PhD degree within 12 months from the end of the project.

During the period of receiving a PRELUDIUM BIS doctoral scholarship, a student may not receive scholarships and other remuneration from funds granted as direct costs from other research projects financed by NCN competitions

Financial provisions

Remuneration paid as a scholarship, in accordance with the REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING SCIENTIFIC SCHOLARS IN RESEARCH PROJECTS FINANCED FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER OF THE CENTER OF SCIENCE https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2016/uchwala96_2016-zal1.pdf

Monthly scholarship

4276,07 PLN before taxes (about 3689,82 PLN after taxes) - until the month in which the evaluation was conducted of the doctoral student's mid-term evaluation at the doctoral school

5131,28 PLN before taxes (about 4427,78 PLN after taxes) - after the month in which the evaluation was conducted of the doctoral student's mid-term evaluation at the doctoral school.

To apply for the scholarship mentioned above, please complete the form (APPLICATION FOR Phd SCHOLARSHIP) and send it along with other required documents.

Seismic imaging of fluids in the near-surface medium for geohazard and geothermal related problems

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Mariusz Majdański

Seismic imaging of fluids in the near-surface medium for geohazard and geothermal related problems

Start date: 2022-10-01 End date: 2026-09-30

Deadline for submitting applications: 2022-06-20

The forus of the PhD will be development and application of environmental seismology methods including refraction and reflection seismic supported with other geophysical techniques (ERT, MT) to study variable characteristics of the near-surface structures. Standard active seismic methods can image the subsurface with high precision. Applied in time-lapse manner the same methods can characterise underground flows, existance of water in the medium, and its state like freezing in permafrost regions. As shown in recent years existing group in IG PAS can visualise temporal changes in the internal structure of the permafrost induced by climate change, and characterise changes in the mountain landslides triggered by human activities. The aim for the PhD candidate is to enhance current functionality of near-surface group by use of modern acquisition techniques like Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and modern interpretation techniques of Full Waveform inwersion (FWI) methods.

Requirements for candidates: Master's degree in exact sciences (preferred physics, geophysics) or natural sciences (earth sciences); bacis knowledge in the fields of seismic data processing and interpretation; fieldwork experience; experience in numerical analysis of large data sets; programming skills (e.g. MATLAB, R, FORTRAN, PYTHON etc.); a good level of both written and spoken English is mandatory, together with good communication skills.

For more information contact Assoc. Prof. Mariusz Majdański (mmajd@igf.edu.pl)

Please apply to the GeoPlanet Doctoral School

Institute of Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences

Proposal of dissertation topics

Earthquakes swarms mechanisms and the related seismic hazard

Satellite imagery to support flood risk modelling in large European rivers

Seismic imaging of fluids in the near-surface medium for geohazard and geothermal related problems

Projects