PhD topics proposals
Prof. Stanisław Lasocki, “Models for seismic hazard assessment in anthropogenic seismicity”
Prof. Stanisław Lasocki
Area of interest: Properties of anthropogenic seismic processes and their relations to the inducing technological factors. Implication for seismic hazard assessment.
TOPIC
“MODELS FOR SEISMIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT IN ANTHROPOGENIC SEISMICITY”
Specific areas under study:
- Testing stationarity/segmental stationarity of seismic series linked to different inducing technologies.
- Testing internal correlations in induced seismic proceses.
- Testing distribution models for event occurrence and event size.
- Stationary/segmental stationary hazard models for induced seismicity.
- Time dependent hazard models, explicitly related to time-changeable parameters of the inducing technologies.
A PhD candidate should:
- have a basic background in mathematics and in particular in mathematical statistics and be inclined to deepen this knowledge;
- have a basic background in geophysics, geology or related disciplines;
- have computer programming skills or a potential to acquire such skills fast;
- have a desire to scientific research;
- know oral and written English fluently;
- be able to work in an international team.
The candidate will join one of the European research projects, which are carried on in the Department of Seismology.
Prof. Stanisław Lasocki, “Migration of seismic events in multidimensional parameter spaces in relation to time-changes of parameters of inducing technologies”
Prof. Stanisław Lasocki
Area of interest: Properties of anthropogenic seismic processes and their relations to the inducing technological factors. Implication for seismic hazard assessment.
TOPIC
“MIGRATION OF SEISMIC EVENTS IN MULTIDIMENSIONAL PARAMETER SPACES IN RELATION TO TIME-CHANGES OF PARAMETERS OF INDUCING TECHNOLOGIES”
Specific areas under study:
- Acquisition and quality control of anthropogenic seismicity episodes, which will be used as test data sets.
- Estimation of source parameters and relevant technological parameters.
- Tracking migration of seismic events in spaces formed by various combinations of generalized event parameters transformed to equivalent dimensions. Searching for the event representations the best responding to changes of technological parameters.
- Developing and testing simplified quantitative representations of seismic event behavior in the selected parameter spaces.
- Partitional and hierarchical clustering of seismic events in the selected parameter spaces. Relations of the cluster properties to time-changeable parameters of the inducing technologies.
A PhD candidate should:
- have a basic background in mathematics and in particular in mathematical statistics and be inclined to deepen this knowledge;
- have a basic background in geophysics, geology or related disciplines;
- have computer programming skills or a potential to acquire such skills fast;
- have a desire to scientific research;
- know oral and written English fluently;
- be able to work in an international team.
The candidate will join one of the European research projects, which are carried on in the Department of Seismology.
Prof. Marek Lewandowski “Paleomagnetism of the Precambrian rocks and geotectonics of the early Earth.”
A primary goal of this study is to identify components of the natural remanent magnetization from the rocks of Precambrian age (ca. 770 Ma) from the Kalahari Craton (Zimbabwe).
The outcomes of this paleomagnetic studies will be applied for reconstruction of the ancient continents disposal. Potential PhD students are expected to know basic technics in paleomagnetism and rudiments of the Precambrian geology.
A candidate should be able to obtain a grant for this study at the first year of the doctorate, and be skilfull enough to write a scientific paper. Fluent English is essential. Only students who graduated with honors are eligible to access an admission exam.
Prof. Paweł M. Rowiński, co-supervisor: dr. Monika B. Kalinowska “Modelling of pollution transport processes in rivers.”
Since we may face the problem with the lack of drinking water soon, the water quality problems becoming more and more important. The prediction of pollution spreading under different conditions is essential. The PhD student will be involved in the work connected with different aspects of pollution transport modelling in rivers, including developing of existing or implantation of the new numerical models to simulate the spread of the pollution in rivers.
Qualifications required:
- For this position, the candidate should hold a master degree in mathematics, physics, informatics or a related subject.
- We are looking for a person with proficiency in using mathematical models to analyse environmental data. Programming skill is required.
- Candidates must be fluent in spoken as well as written English.
Prof. Paweł M. Rowiński, co-supervisor: dr. Monika B. Kalinowska “The role of vegetation in river valleys in the context of the UNESCO report WWDR2018, titled ‘nature-based solutions for water’ ”.
Vegetation in river systems may help us in solving a variety of water management challenges, however, there are numerous research gaps that still do not allow us to fully understand how the system works. The PhD student will be involved in the work aimed to the understanding of the role of vegetation in river systems. This will be a combination of field, experimental, computational and theoretical research.
Qualifications required:
- For this position, the candidate should hold a master degree in mathematics, physics, geophysics, environmental sciences or a related subject.
- We are looking for a person with good mathematical skills.
- Experience in conducting experimental research is welcome, programming skills are desirable.
- Candidates must be fluent in spoken as well as written English.
Dr. Mariusz Białecki, Assoc. Prof. “Cellular automata modeling inter-event time distributions for earthquakes”
In 2004, Alvaro Corral found that the probability of waiting times for earthquakes for significantly different areas and for different magnitude ranges can be described by one universal distribution, if the time is expressed in units normalized by the average seismicity of a given region. The existence of such a universal distribution strongly points to a uniform mechanism for generating time intervals between earthquakes.
The main goal of the research, as a topic strictly in the field of theoretical geophysics, is to understand the dynamics of earthquakes and this universal distribution based on constructed mechanistic models, like Random Domino Automaton, describing the principles of energy accumulation and its rapid release. It is planned to develop an analytical description of a stationary state of the cellular automaton model in order to establish the relationship between variables and parameters representing physical quantities in the model and to search for new mechanisms useful in explaining the occurrence of earthquakes.
Scope of work is focused on analysis of cellular automata models, both analytically and numerically and comparisons with data.
Requirements:
- Experience in the field of statistical physics or stochastic processes.
- Experience in the field of complex systems modeling.
- Experience in numerical simulations and skills in programming is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of Mathematica software or equivalent.
- Ability to communicate, read and write scientific papers in English.
Dr. Wojciech Czuba “Lithospheric structure and tectonics of ultra-slow mid-oceanic ridge and passive continental margin on an example of the Knipovich Ridge in the Svalbard region based on seismic passive and active methods.”
Dr. Krzysztof Kochanek, Assoc. Prof.
The inundations in urban areas has recently become one of the crucial problems in European cities.
Frequent torrential rains cause that the old or insufficient-sized storm system cannot cope with the excess of water which leads to significant damages in infrastructure and goods.
Also the high prices of parcels in cities cause that the construction companies minimise the retention of large parts of the residential areas.
The aim of the study is to identify and quantify the risk of inundations in urban areas. The methodology is to be based on statistical modelling of torrential rains confronted with the ability of residential areas to absorb excess of water. As a case study a new residential area is proposed.
Requirements:
- MSc in hydrology or geophysics or environmental sciences or technical sciences (engineering);
- Math literacy, knowledge of hydrological processes, hydraulics, GIS;
- English reading/writing/speaking at least at the level enabling understanding of scientific publications and interactions with international collaborators.
Dr. Grzegorz Lizurek, Non-DC components of full moment tensor solution as an artifact of P and S wave amplitude inversion.
NON-DC COMPONENTS OF FULL MOMENT TENSOR SOLUTION AS AN ARTIFACT OF P AND S WAVE AMPLITUDE INVERSION. DETERMINING THE LIMITATION OF THE METHODOLOGY AND ATTEMPT OF METHOD DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS USING S WAVE AMPLITUDE, EXTENDED SOURCE AND NEAR- AND INTERMEDIATE FIELD EQUATIONS.
Research tasks:
- Preparing the algorithm and scripts to generate synthetic amplitudes and radiation pattern originated by the non-shearing seismic sources;
- Synthetic tests of focal sphere coverage influence on moment tensor inversion results for typical anthropogenic seismicity cases with assumption of isotropic component of the moment tensor up to: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%;
- Synthetic tests of focal sphere coverage influence on moment tensor inversion results for typical anthropogenic seismicity cases with assumption of CLVD component of the moment tensor up to: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%;
- Synthetic tests of focal sphere coverage influence on moment tensor inversion results for typical anthropogenic seismicity cases with assumption of isotropic and CLVD components of the moment tensor up of: 80% vs 20%, 60% vs 40%, 40% vs 60%, 20% vs 80%, respectively;
- Synthetic tests of focal sphere coverage influence on moment tensor inversion results for typical anthropogenic seismicity cases with assumption of the following isotropic, CLVD and DC components ratio in the moment tensor solution: 60%/20%/20%, 40%/40%/20%, 20%/40%/40% etc.;
- Development of SV and SH amplitude moment tensor inversion as an extension of P amplitude method;
- Synthetic tests of focal sphere coverage influence on moment tensor inversion results, similar to P wave amplitude inversion;
- Development of the moment tensor inversion with use of intermediate field displacement equations;
- Development of the moment tensor inversion with use of near field displacement equations;
- Development of the moment tensor inversion with use of extended source assumption and different rupture scenario;
- Application of the methodology for focal mechanism solutions of anthropogenic, tectonic, volcanic and glacial seismic events
Requirements:
Programming: Matlab (Octave) and/or Python ObsPy at least
Dr. Grzegorz Lizurek, Looking for characteristic footprints in seismic process evolution as the tool in discrimination between tectonic and reservoir triggered seismicity.
LOOKING FOR CHARACTERISTIC FOOTPRINTS IN SEISMIC PROCESS EVOLUTION AS THE TOOL IN DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN TECTONIC AND RESERVOIR TRIGGERED SEISMICITY. MODELLING OF THE INFLUENCE OF MAN-INDUCED STRESS CHANGES IN RELATION TO TECTONIC STRESS ORIENTATION AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL CLUSTERING OF SEISMICITY.
Research tasks:
- Modelling of the influence of man-induced pore-pressure on stress axes orientation
- Modelling of the influence of man-induced water mass load changes on stress axes orientation
- Modelling of the influence of ground water level depletion on stress axes orientation
- Modelling of the diffusion and permeability influence on the spatio-temporal distribution of seismicity
- Modelling of the influence of above mentioned factors on spatio-temporal distribution of seismicity
- Application of the developed models into case studies: reservoir impoundment data from IS-EPOS platform (at least three cases Monteynard, Song Tranh and Czorsztyn)
Requirements:
Programming: Matlab (Octave) and/or Python ObsPy at least
Dr. Michal Malinowski, Assoc. Prof. “Processing and interpretation of the new marine seismic data offshore Poland”
In March 2016, the “BalTec” cruise took place with the German R/V Maria S. Merian in the Baltic Sea. About 3500 km of multi-channel seismic data (MCS), 6000 km parametric sediment profiler (Parasound) and 7000 km gravity data have been recorded. Preliminary processed data provide already a gapless image from seafloor to base of the Permian salt (in the North German-Polish Basin) or Palaeozoic strata (Tornquist Fan) with high-resolution.
The focus of the proposed research is on the structure of Phanerozoic sedimentary cover in the transition from the Precambrian to Palaeozoic platform in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea to be revealed by the new seismic and hydroacoustic data, supported by the potential field modelling. In terms of the methodology, the aim of the proposed
PhD project is to develop robust processing and imaging techniques applicable to shallow-water MCS data (including e.g. strategies to remove multiple reflections and testing of full-waveform inversion for velocity-model building) and applying them to the BalTec MCS profiles.
The PhD candidate is expected also to work towards the interpretation of the new MCS profiles within a collaboration with the Institute of Geological Sciences PAS to address the following geological problems: the nature of the Caledonian Deformation Front offshore Poland; Cambro – Ordovician evolution of the N (offshore) part of the Baltic Basin; Silurian evolution of the N (offshore) part of the Baltic Basin; Permo-Mesozoic evolution of the N (offshore) part of the Polish Basin and understanding of ice-load induced tectonism and searching for fluid pathways.
Requirements:
- Basic programming skills (minimum MATLAB);
- Working experience with UNIX/Linux OS and shell scripts;
- Hands-on experience with seismic processing (especially marine data) is a plus;
- Hands-on experience with seismic interpretation is a plus.
Dr. Krzysztof Mizerski, Assoc. Prof. “Numerical analysis of hydromagnetic dynamos driven by buoyancy forces”
Short description: The task of the student will involve performing a vast number of numerical simulations on large computing facilities (MHD cluster in UK, PL-Grid) with the use of a code already written and tested by the supervisor and ready for use.
Moreover, the Ph.D. student will be asked to modify the code, which currently solves the system of magnetohydrodynamic equations under the so-called anelastic approximation for convection, so as to include the effect of magnetic buoyancy. The aim is to study the magnetic field generation by thermal and magnetic buoyancy forces, with applications to the Solar and geomagnetic field dynamics.
It is required, that the candidate has a good experience in computer programming and either mathematics or physics.
Dr. Krzysztof Mizerski, Assoc. Prof. “The influence of thermal effects on the boundary-layer mass outflow”
Short description: The task of the student will involve theoretical analysis of the dynamical equations describing magnetohydrodynamics (Navier-Stokes plu Maxwell's equations) to investigate the effect of boundary layer pumping, in particular the influence of thermal buoyancy vs stable thermal stratification on mass outflow from a compressible boundary layer.
It is required, that the candidate has experience in physics (most likely in fluid dynamics) and mathematics.
Dr. Aleksander Pietruczuk, Assoc. Prof. “Retrieval of atmospheric aerosol microphysical properties based on LIDAR and sun-photometer synergy”
The student will work in the project titled “Influence of vertical profile of aerosol optical properties on surface UV radiation and photochemical smog” financed by National Science Centre Poland. In this PhD we want to advance our knowledge of vertical distribution of aerosols’ physical characteristics and their evolution in the troposphere.
The student will analyze data obtained from synergy of remote sensing instruments, including LIDAR and sun-photometer. An inversion code named GRASP, developed in the scope of ACTRIS (European Research Infrastructure for the observation of Aerosol, Clouds, and Trace gases), will be used.
The student will learn the basic principles of the of the algorithm together with the corresponding physical processes and gain the necessary knowledge to be able to validate the obtained results. PhD student will collaborate with our modeling team by supplying retrieved aerosol data to atmospheric models.
Benefits: Taking part in our PhD studies offers an opportunity to stay close to the robust Polish atmospheric science community that offers a great research environment and top level guidance form our experts. We keep close ties with our partners in the EU by e.g. participating in ACTRIS research infrastructure that allows for exchange of knowledge and expertise between world leading scientific groups across Europe as well as to provide training opportunities for young scientists.
Our work concentrates on atmospheric aerosols that are of key importance in studies of climate change while they also directly influence health and life quality of human population. The obtained results will be used to further our knowledge in this field that may in turn result in the betterment of aerosol forecasting and mitigation of the adverse aerosol effects on the environment.
Requirements:
- the candidate needs to have a background in Mathematics and/or Physics and intermediate knowledge of programming techniques (Matlab, Python or C++ are preferred).
Dr. Aleksander Pietruczuk, Assoc. Prof. “Multi-scale interactions over the Maritime Continent and their role in weather extremes over Central and Eastern Europe” (2018-2020)
In this PhD we want to advance our knowledge of multi-scale interactions and teleconnections between tropical circulation and weather extremes in Europe. The project focuses on understanding of physical mechanisms responsible for interactions between diurnal cycle of precipitation in South-East Asia (mainly Maritime Continent) and propagation of tropical waves, and their role in Earth’s weather variability. Project is organized within international Years of the Maritime Continent program and will be conducted within consortium (Poland, USA, UK, Indonesia, Japan).
A PhD student will perform research in collaboration with domestic and international partners, including analysis meteorological and oceanographic fields (precipitation and wind patterns, surface fluxes, surface and subsurface temperature and salinity) and their variability. Synergy between in-situ, remote sensing and reanalysis data will be used. A student will also participate in a field measurements program Equatorial Line Observations planned during boreal winter 2018/2019 in Indonesia.
Benefits: Taking part in our PhD studies offers an opportunity to stay close to the robust Polish atmospheric science community that offers a great research environment and top-level guidance form our experts. Additionally, this international project offers strong and close collaboration and research synergy with partners in UK and USA, and interdisciplinary studies at frontiers of atmospheric physics and physical oceanography. Multiple training possibilities (field campaign, bilateral visits, summer school) will be available to a PhD student involved in this project.
Work in this project focuses on understanding weather variability and predictability on subseasonal to seasonal time scales, which is a binding bridge between typical weather regime and climate. As as result we hope to advance our capability to predict high impact weather events (i.e. widespread flooding) in the Maritime Continent region and exploit possible teleconnections increase predictability of high impact weather (i.e. extreme cold during winter and high precipitation during summer) in Central and Eastern Europe.
Part of the PhD research will be conducted within on-going (2018-2020) project funded by Foundation for Polish Science and will include stipend of 4500 PLN per month.
Requirements:
- MSc diploma in physics, mathematics, informatics, environmental studies, geography or related;
- Ability to think critically about physical processes; ability to identify critical problems; propose and test their solutions;
- Basic knowledge of linear algebra and differential equations solutions techniques;
- Basic knowledge of numerical and scripting programming;
- English reading/writing/speaking at least at the level enabling understanding of scientific publications and interactions with international collaborators;
- Knowledge of computing environment such as Python, Matlab or IDL will be an additional asset;
- Ability to work creatively and independently
Dr. Aleksander Pietruczuk, Assoc. Prof. “Synergy of in-situ and remote sensing techniques to better understanding of aerosol optical properties”
In this PhD we want to advance our knowledge of aerosols’ optical parameters, especially in the low troposphere, close to the ground. The student will analyze data obtained from a synergy of remote sensing instruments, including ceilometer, sun-photometer and in-situ nephelometer measurements. An inversion algorithm will be used to obtain profile of aerosol microphysical properties. The results will be compared to in-situ measurements of aerosol size distribution. The student will learn the principles of optical aerosol measurements and gain the necessary knowledge to be able to validate the obtained results. PhD student will collaborate with our remote sensing team as well as modeling team by supplying retrieved aerosol data to atmospheric models.
Benefits: Taking part in our PhD studies offers an opportunity to stay close to the robust Polish atmospheric science community that offers a great research environment and top level guidance form our experts. We keep close ties with our partners in the EU by e.g. participating in ACTRIS research infrastructure that allows for exchange of knowledge and expertise between world leading scientific groups across Europe as well as to provide training opportunities for young scientists.
Our work concentrates on atmospheric aerosols that are of key importance in studies of climate change while they also directly influence health and life quality of human population. The obtained results will be used to further our knowledge in this field that may in turn result in the betterment of aerosol forecasting and mitigation of the adverse aerosol effects on the environment.
Requirements:
- the candidate needs to have a background in Physics, Meteorology and/or Mathematics and basic knowledge of programming techniques (Matlab, Python or C++ are preferred).
Dr. Piotr Środa, Assoc. Prof. “Upper mantle structure and anisotropy beneath the SW Poland based on modelling of passive seismic data.”
Dr. Marzena Osuch, Assoc. Prof. "HINDCASTING AND PROJECTIONS OF HYDRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN SPITSBERGEN"
The PhD position is offered by the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences within the National Science Center of Poland project i.e. Hindcasting and projections of hydro-climatic conditions of Southern Spitsbergen.
The main focus of the PhD will be an analysis of rainfall-runoff processes in the Arctic catchments located in South Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. The behavior of river catchments, in conjunction with glaciers, permafrost and biotic elements, is undoubtedly one of the most important indicators of climate and environmental change in the Arctic. The main aim will be an updated water-balance study based on meteorological, hydrological, and glacier mass-balance monitoring from previous years and projections for the future. Due to complexity of cold region hydrological systems, a catchment response can vary depending not only on climate forcing but also on catchment properties including: the state and distribution of permafrost, water storage capacity, glacial coverage, soil properties, elevation, and geomorphology.
He/She should have a Master of Science Degree or equivalent qualification in hydrology, climatology or a closely related discipline.
The ideal candidate should be familiar with hydrological measurements, remote sensing methods, statistical data analysis, and be familiar with programming (MATLAB, R) and GIS (e.g. ArcGis).
The candidate will be expected to work partially in the Arctic. He/she will be expected to attend at least one international conference per year, so fluent English is obligatory. All general enquiries and formal applications including: letter of motivation, current CV, copies of certificates, list of courses with grades taken during MSc and BSc studies, (all in Polish or English) should be send to Dr Osuch (marz@igf.edu.pl).
