Research opportunities may be available through the Find a PhD opportunity listings.
MSc Project Opportunity (180pt)
None currently listed.
PhD Opportunities (Updated 25 Sept 2024)
"Safeguarding Te Mana o te Awa o Waikato from emerging climatic pressures" (2 PhD opportunities)
The overarching aim is to examine the emerging climatic threat to freshwater systems from increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, with a particular focus on the Waikato River in the North Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand. The work will take an interdisciplinary approach to examine coupled biogeochemical and physical processes along the river and within hydro-lakes. Results from the projects will contribute to safeguarding restoration efforts in freshwater systems.
Project 1: This project will focus on constraining the effects of turbulence and CO2 exchange on water chemistry, using a combination of field measurements, data analysis, and numerical modelling to parameterise in-river turbulence and air-water fluxes. We seek a student with a research Masters degree, preferably in physics, mathematics, hydrology, oceanography, engineering, or a closely related field (with demonstrated numeracy skills) for a 4-year fully funded PhD project. The ideal candidate would have at least one of the following:
- Research experience involving hydrodynamics, and/or turbulence.
- Experience in aquatic or oceanographic fieldwork, or numerical modelling of fluid dynamics, and data processing.
- Understanding of biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems.
The project will be supervised by Associate Professors Julia Mullarney, Deniz Özkundakci (University of Waikato), and Dr Adam Hartland (Lincoln Agritech) and Dr Erik Sahlee (Uppsala University), and Dr Leonie Esters (University of Bonn).
Project 2: This project will develop 3D dynamic lake ecosystem models to investigate the effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase on plant growth and biogeochemical cycles in lake ecosystems. The project will be well supported by data collected as part of the wider programme. We seek a student with a research Masters degree, preferably in quantitative limnology, ecosystem modelling, or a closely related field for a 4-year fully funded PhD project. The ideal candidate would have at least one of the following:
- A strong background in aquatic ecosystem modelling.
- Experience running lake ecosystem model simulations or analysing model output.
- Understanding of plant physiology and growth dynamics in aquatic environments.
- Understanding of biogeochemical cycles, especially carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in freshwater ecosystems.
The project will be supervised by Associate Professors Deniz Özkundakci and Julia Mullarney (University of Waikato), and Dr. Adam Hartland (Lincoln Agritech).
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, copies of any journal publications, names and contact details for three references, and TOEFL/IELTS scores (if available) to Julia Mullarney (julia.mullarney@waikato.ac.nz) for Project 1 or Deniz Özkundakci (deniz.ozkundakci@waikato.ac.nz) for Project 2. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Review of applications will begin October 10th and continue until the position is filled.
"LakeCast: Enhancing lake ecosystem management with multisource integrated data and ecological forecasts" (2 PhD opportunities)
We are seeking two enthusiastic and highly motivated students for a 3-year fully funded PhD project to develop ecological forecasts to serve as decision support tools as part of our recently funded programme ‘LakeCast’ project. Lakes are under increasing pressure from multiple stressors, yet we lack methods pre-emptively identify lake water quality impairments such as algal blooms, often impeding management efforts. By leveraging abundant water-quality data and advances in sensor fusion and ecological forecasting theory, we will develop accurate forecasts and actionable insights for regional councils and iwi.
We are recruiting a cohort of two PhD students who will work closely together on this project, each with a distinct focus. One position will focus largely on developing novel machine learning algorithms using diverse high-frequency sensor datasets, and will be mentored by engineers and computer scientists at the University of Waikato. The second position will be centred on lake ecology, using data science techniques to develop statistical and mechanistic modelling approaches, and will be mentored by freshwater ecologists and computational limnologists. The students will form part of a collaborative team to develop actionable decision-making tools to support freshwater management.
About the candidate (PhD in Engineering): We are looking for a candidate with a background in sensing, measurement, and applied machine learning. The ideal candidate would be proficient in Python and C, and understand sensor data acquisition and preprocessing, and machine learning modelling methods. Candidates must have a relevant Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Master by Research degree in Electrical and Electronics, or Electronics, or Software.
About the candidate (PhD in Science): We are looking for a candidate with a background in data science and lake ecology. The ideal candidate would also be proficient in R (or comparable software) and understand data manipulation and statistical, process-based, or machine learning modelling methods. Candidates must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree with honours or Master’s degree.
The successful candidates will be under the supervision of Associate Professors Deniz Özkundakci and Melanie Ooi, and Dr Whitney Woelmer at the University of Waikato and based in Hamilton, New Zealand. They will work closely with Te Ipu o Te Mahara Artificial Intelligence Institute, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and Toi Te Ora Public Health to develop decision-relevant tools.
For any additional information on the technical aspects of these opportunities, please contact Deniz Özkundakci (deniz.ozkundakci@waikato.ac.nz) or Melanie Ooi (melanie.ooi@waikato.ac.nz). Candidates should submit an application to kim.pritchard@waikato.ac.nz, indicating which of the two PhD positions you are applying for (specify “engineering” or “lake science”). This must include a complete CV, academic transcripts, and a letter containing the following information motivation for applying, research interests and experience, and the name and contact details of two or more academic referees is required. Applications received on or before 15 November 2024 will be considered.
The successful applicants will be expected to take up the position no later than February 2025.
Title: At the limit: 14C dating the Aboriginal occupation of Australia
Supervisors: A/Prof Fiona Petchey (University of Waikato) and A/Prof Michael Mucalo (University of Waikato).
We are seeking expressions of interest from potential Ph.D. candidates to investigate the chemical composition and properties of pyrogenic carbon (“charcoal”) dating close to the upper limit of radiocarbon (14C) measurement (20,000 to ~50,000 years BP).
Project Scope: Over the last decade, there has been an increased number of Australian sites with evidence of human activities dating > 45,000 years BP. The likelihood of the early settlement of the Australian deserts raises questions about the drivers and expansion rates. The accuracy of any 14C date depends on the effective separation and purification of autochthonous carbon. This project will expand the quality assurance parameters currently available by assessing a range of chemical characterisation methodologies to investigate potential sources of contamination that affect the 14C analysis. This Ph.D. is part of a larger Australian Research Council-funded project led by Prof. Peter Veth (University of Western Australia) exploring the settlement of the Western Australian desert.
Skills: The candidate will be based at the University of Waikato, and the project will involve periods of intensive laboratory work and data processing of samples sourced from stored archaeological collections and ongoing fieldwork. The candidate will also work closely with Dr. Nathan Jankowski at the OSL laboratory at the University of Wollongong. Applicants with a background in chemistry or environmental science will be considered. Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, curious, and innovative and have strong communication and teamwork skills.
Interested applicants should discuss this funded Ph.D. scholarship opportunity with A/Prof Fiona Petchey (fpetchey@waikato.ac.nz).
View more information on undertaking Ph.D. research at the University of Waikato.
Applications will remain open until the position is filled.