Past trends and future risk of climate extremes in southern Australia

Two PhD scholarships are available to international or Australian students to conduct research under the umbrella of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship to Jonathan Tyler.

The scholarships include domestic/international enrolment fees and an annual stipend of AU$34,210 p.a. (2024 rate). Research expenses will be covered by the ARC funding.

The PhD candidates must commence before 31/December/2024, so international applicants must consider the timelines for application and receipt of visas.

We seek to create and maintain a vibrant, inclusive and diverse research group, hence applications from people of diverse gender or ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.

To be considered, please provide the following documents before 30/May/2024:

1. A current curriculum vitae (cv; resume).
2. A full academic transcript (undergraduate, Honours and/or masters degree).
3. A brief (1-2 page) summary of your research interests and experience to date; your aspirations for the future and how your skills and abilities are suited to the research project.
4. A copy of an undergraduate or masters thesis, or research paper if relevant, which demonstrates your writing ability, research experience and expertise. 

Following an initial selection process by the research team, the successful candidates will then need to apply for admittance to the PhD program through the standard University of Adelaide process.

Project 1

Supervisor: A/Prof. Jonathan Tyler, Earth Sciences

Title: Hydroclimate variability in southern Australia through the last 2000 years: evidence from oxygen isotopes and lake sediments.

Keywords: Climate change; geochemistry; environment; hydrology

Records of pre-industrial climate and hydrology are vital for understanding long term climate processes, and for predicting and mitigating droughts, floods and fires. There is therefore an urgent need for better hydroclimate records, which are (a) sub-decadally resolved; (b) rigorously dated; and (c) quantitative, using physically-grounded proxies such as oxygen isotopes.

This project aims to develop new records which meet these criteria from sites in southern South Australia and Western Australia. The study will involve multiple analyses to describe and date  lake sediments prior to the analysis of oxygen isotopes in carbonate, biogenic silica and/or cellulose. The research will contribute to an Australian Research Council project ‘Past Trends, Future Risk’ on climate variability across southern Australia, including the role of climate in changing fire regimes.

The research combines climate science with the application of cutting edge analytical methods, with scope for national and international collaboration, including regional government and stakeholders.

Project 2

Supervisor: A/Prof. John Tibby, Geography

Title: Past and future climate impacts on lake ecology and hydrology in south-western Western Australia

Keywords: Climate change; environment; physical geography; freshwater ecology

The last century has seen widespread decline in lake water levels and increased salinity across south-western Western Australia, a trend predicted to continue in the future. Understanding the causes, impact and trajectory of lake hydrological changes is therefore critical.

Diatom microfossils in lake sediments are valuable tracers of past aquatic change. This project aims to analyse diatoms in Western Australian lake sediments to reconstruct past climate and to explore the interplay between climate, hydrology and ecology before, and after European colonisation. The project will also involve analysis of modern diatom communities to better constrain the relationship between diatoms and their environment.

The research involves field and lab-based environmental science, with potential for advanced data analysis, including the possible application of machine learning. The research will contribute to an Australian Research Council project ‘Past Trends, Future Risk’, with scope for national and international collaboration, and engagement with regional government and stakeholders.