POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA ~ Bioblogia.net

18 de octubre de 2012

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

The Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological
Engineering (CRECHE) in Durban, South Africa, is looking for PostDoctoral
Fellows to work on a large estuarine system, Lake St. Lucia, in the
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site
(http://www.isimangaliso.com/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/914 ) at the
East coast of South Africa.


ENVIRONMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS & BIOPHYSICAL MODELLING
Understanding  the  biophysical  interactions  in  the  St  Lucia  estuarine
 lake  system  is important for managing a sustainable future for this
unique and important ecosystem – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and RAMSAR
Wetland of international importance. The focus of  this  study  is  to
investigate  the  wind-driven  circulation  patterns  and  mixing  within
the shallow St Lucia lake basin(s) and their interaction with biological
processes. In particular, wind-generated waves cause the re-suspension of
fine sediments within the lake, which in turn increases turbidity and
impacts on primary production. Submerged macrophytes can
dissipate  wave  energy  leading to  sediment  settling  and  reductions  in
 turbidity,  but  their growth depends  on  turbidity  itself.
These  and  other  related  biophysical  processes  will  be investigated
using  a  combination  of  fieldwork  and  mathematical/numerical  modeling
methods.  Experience  in  these  methods,  including  the  use  of MATLAB,
MIKE21/DELF3D  or similar modeling software is required.
Appointment as a post-doctoral fellow at UKZN will initially be for 1-year,
renewable for a 2nd year subject to satisfactory progress.  You will be
based in the Centre for Research in Environmental,  Coastal  and
Hydrological  Engineering  (CRECHE),  and  will  work  in  an
established multidisciplinary research group comprising both engineers and
biologists. The value of the fellowship is R180000/yr.
For  further  information  please  contact  Prof  Derek  Stretch,  Director
 CRECHE,  School  of Engineering, UKZN, Durban, South Africa.
(stretchd@ukzn.ac.za)


MODELING COASTAL AND ESTUARINE MORPHODYNAMICS
The hydrodynamics and morpho-dynamics of tidal inlets located on the
wave-dominated, micro-tidal  South  African  coastline  are  important
drivers  in the  functioning  of  productive estuarine ecosystems. The aim
of this study is to investigate these processes at the St Lucia estuarine
system,  a  UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site  and  RAMSAR  wetland  of
international importance.  The  dynamics  of  the  St  Lucia  inlet
involves  a  complex  balance  between wave/tide  driven  flows  with
associated  sediment  transport,  and  flows  from  terrestrial catchments.
Processes that affect the stability of the tidal inlet, and that can lead to
inlet migration and/or closure need to be clarified since they can have a
profound impact of the overall functioning and sustainability of the
estuarine system.
State of the art process-based  models  (such  as  MIKE,  DEFT3D)  will  be
 used  in  combination  with  fieldwork  to undertake this investigation.
Experience in morphodynamic modeling in coastal/estuarine
environments is required.
Appointment as a post-doctoral fellow at UKZN will initially be for 1-year,
renewable for a 2nd year subject to satisfactory progress.  You will be
based in the Centre for Research in Environmental,  Coastal  and
Hydrological  Engineering  (CRECHE),  and  will  work  in  an established
multidisciplinary research group comprising both engineers and biologists.
The value of the fellowship is R180000/yr.
For  further  information  please  contact  Prof  Derek  Stretch,  Director
 CRECHE,  School  of Engineering, UKZN, Durban, South Africa.
(stretchd@ukzn.ac.za)

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