Hydroclimate extremes Africa Australia

Towards better understanding of the characteristics of hydroclimate extremes in Africa and Australia

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

27 March 2023

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

About the research project

Australia and Africa are both subject to high spatio-temporal hydroclimate variability, and both have been devastated by drought and flood events in recent years. This variability currently presents significant challenges to water managers, societies and the environment. Analysing the frequency, magnitude and duration of flood and drought events in the observation records for both continents is complex but urgently required. Assessing the characteristics of hydroclimate events going forward will be critical for building resilience to future change across both Africa and Australia.    

This project will use available instrumental data as well as the dynamically regionally downscaled CORDEX projection data for the African and Australian regions. Using these data sets, analysis and comparison of individual components (e.g. duration, frequency and magnitude) of these hydroclimate extremes across both domains will be undertaken as a first step. The project will also use a compound event framework to explore the occurrence and future trajectory of hydroclimate extremes. A compound event framework will better capture the complexity of these events that can have highly significant socio-economic and environmental costs. Compound climate events are a relatively new research area, but early evidence suggests that their frequency may be increasing under changing climate conditions.  Understanding whether or not this is the case is critical to assessing likely future impacts of both drought and pluvial events in these regions, especially given the hydroclimate variability in both regions.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Kathy Allen

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Previous research experience using global and regionally downscaled climate model projections
  • Coding skills (e.g. Matlabb/Python/R)
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English
  • Evidence of strong quantitative skills

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Understanding of hydroclimate characteristics of Australia and Africa
  • Knowledge/evidence of previous compound event analysis

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Kathy Allen to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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