Fully funded PhD Position in Sublacustrine Delta Sedimentation

The Group of Sediment Dynamics, based at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the University of Bern invites applications for a PhD position to work on delta sedimentation processes in lakes.

Deltas represent the transfer zone where sediment is moved from terrestrial to the subaquatic domain. The sediments are deposited in the deltaic areas and then remobilized again through eroding underflows or delta lip failures. In the past, tsunamogenic delta failures have occurred in Swiss lakes. Due to continuous sediment supply from the incoming river, however, the traces of such failures are missing. Thus, the origin, failure processes, and flow mechanisms remain unknown, but are needed for hazard assessment. In this project, the goal is to better understand the processes related to delta failures in lakes, through a multi-approach monitoring (ocean bottom seismometer, bathymetric mapping, water flow velocity measurements and sediment analysis).

Tasks
Tasks will be to study the geomorphological changes of the lake floor over time, spot small failures in deltaic areas and characterize the origin and type of turbidity currents and their deposits by analyzing the data acquired during the monitoring campaigns.
Requirements
We are interested in candidates with a Master of Sciences degree in Geology or Physical Geography or related fields. The candidate should be interested to conduct research with a combination of field work, innovate data analysis, and computational methods. Ideally, the candidate should have (limno)geological field experience, knowledge in GIS, and a flair for geophysical methods in aquatic environments, for limnogeology and sedimentology. Basic knowledge of signal processing is not a requirement, but would be an advantage. It is expected that the candidate is willing to collaborate with other institutes and University-wide national and international collaborator, be creative, communicate, think critically and share skills and results. A good command of English is required, and basic German is an advantage.
We offer
We offer a fully funded PhD position for four years, an international and interdisciplinary environment and state-of-the art lab facilities. Collaboration will be performed with colleagues from the University of Bern, the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich, EAWAG, University of Geneva and TU Vienna amongst others.
For questions, please contact Katrina Kremer (Katrina.kremer@geo.unibe.ch)
Please send your application materials by Email to Prof. Katrina Kremer
katrina.kremer@geo.unibe.ch.

The application materials include:
• Motivation letter and research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for 2 potential referees (no referee letters, please)

Deadline: 29 January 2023.


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