PhD Position Available
Measurement and Numerical Modelling of Antarctica Coastal Outlet
Glaciers
Laboratory of Glaciology and Environmental Geophysics
Grenoble, France
Application Deadline (extended): Thursday, 31 May 2007
For more information, please contact:
Emmanuel Le Meur
E-mail: lemeur [at] lgge.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr
The Laboratory of Glaciology and Environmental Geophysics (LGGE) in
Grenoble, France invites applications for a PhD position in glaciology
as part of the project "Measurement and Numerical Modelling of
Antarctica Coastal Outlet Glaciers."
Estimation of the overall balance of large ice sheets by traditional
methods (satellite altimetry and mass balance measurements) remains a
major glaciological problem. Measurements of ice flow through coastal
outlet glaciers offer a good proxy for the total ice sheet ablation,
especially in Antarctica where surface melting is negligible. Temporal
variations of these fluxes (modeled or measured) indicate volume
variations more inland within the ice sheet and are therefore
symptomatic of large-scale mass balance changes with sea level
implications. The link between these outlet glaciers and the more inland
ice masses however remains complex, mainly because these outlet glaciers
can develop their own dynamics from mechanical interactions with the
bedrock (buttressing effects) and with the sea. Sudden acceleration of
these outlet glaciers can lead to an enhanced drainage of the upstream
ice (and the other way round), making these outlet glaciers acting as
flow regulators for large parts of the ice sheet. The proposed work will
consist of a better understanding of the dynamics of these outlet
glaciers with the help of both field measurements and numerical ice flow
modeling.
From the size point of view (especially the aspect ratio), outlet
glaciers are very close to mountain glaciers, for which an important
modeling effort is under way at LGGE. Contrary to large ice caps, the
Shallow Ice Approximation (SIA) cannot be used for such glaciers.
Correct modeling of outlet glaciers dynamics therefore requires solving
the three-dimensional full-Stokes equations. Such models are already in
use or under development at LGGE.
The PhD student will contribute to the development of such models and
their application to the selected zone. S/he will also interact with
colleagues in order to include specific effects due to the floating
tongue and the grounding line migration. Fieldwork will concentrate on
the Astrolabe test zone near the Dumont d'Urville French base. Data and
results obtained on this glacier will be compared to other measurements
performed on larger neighboring outlet glaciers in that part of the ice
sheet so as to evaluate its representativity and to possibly allow
extrapolation of its modeled (present and future) behavior to this
entire sector of Antarctica.
The successful candidate will have a good background in physics and more
specifically in continuum mechanics. Expertise or willingness to learn
in informatics (i.e., Fortran) is necessary given the large part of
programming in the proposed work. Some knowledge in Earth sciences, such
as glaciology, meteorology, and geology is a plus, although not
mandatory provided the candidate is wiling to become familiar with these
disciplines. Fieldwork in the Antarctic consisting of one or two field
seasons is planned. For foreign candidates, the possibility of writing
the final manuscript in English will be considered.
Interested applicants should send a detailed CV along with a letter of
application (in which personal motivations should be clearly stated), as
well as the full references of an individual who can attest to previous
experiences related to the position. Applications must be submitted by
Thursday, 31 May 2007, to:
Emmanuel Le Meur
E-mail: lemeur [at] lgge.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr