PhD Scholarship - environmental hydrology and water quality

PhD Scholarship to study environmental hydrology and water quality at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. This scholarship invites applications for a PhD study to investigate critical nutrient flow pathways, including transport and transformation of nitrate contamination in shallow groundwater in Coastal sandy agricultural catchments in the lower North Island, New Zealand. The PhD project will aim to contribute novel research findings for development of an integrated, catchment-scale modelling to evaluate in-field and edge-of-field management and mitigation practices to reduce nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) loads to Coastal Sand dune lakes in the lower North Island, New Zealand. The PhD study is part of a collaborative research programme between Massey University's Farmed Landscapes Research Centre and Horizons Regional Council. Horizons Regional Council manages the natural resources of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand. The successful PhD candidate will enjoy full support, guidance and supervision from both University staff and Horizons Regional Council scientists. The successful candidate is likely to have an Honours or Masters degree or equivalent, with research experience related to catchment hydrology, land use, water quality, hydrogeochemistry, and hydrological and water quality modelling. Knowledge and experience with relevant analysis tools for data analysis (e.g. R, statistical analysis, GIS and hydrological and water quality models) are preferable. The successful candidate must demonstrate good communication and writing skills, show an ability to take initiative and lead research project with supervision, and be a good team member. The Scholarship will pay NZ $30,000 per annum plus tuition fees for a maximum of 3 years, and support for research fieldwork and presentation at a national or international conference. The position is open to both New Zealand and international applicants, with preference given to locally suitable candidates.