Schools of Geosciences and Engineering
College of Physical Sciences

PhD Studentship

Project title: Comparison of Delta-Fed Deepwater Sediment Cones

Project Description: This project aims to develop models for the influence of external controls on delta-fed continental margin sedimentation, through investigation of a range of deep-water sediment accumulations associated with large rivers.

This comparative study of large delta-fed accumulations will include an initial thorough review of deepwater sediment accumulations associated with the world's large rivers, including hinterland tectonics, climate and sediment flux estimates. This will be followed and complemented by interpretation of a range of petroleum industry 2D and 3D seismic data sets, some of which are supported by extensive well data, supplemented by the results of a major proprietary palaeo-climate study. There will also be opportunities to participate in provenance studies based on subsurface materials.

This generously-funded studentship project (supported by BG Group) will provide opportunities to interact with a large multinational, interdisciplinary group working on the development of continental slope systems, including participants from the University of Aberdeen, the University of California at Santa Barbara (USA), Colorado School of Mines (USA), the National University of San Juan (Argentina), and the Institute for Marine Science (Italy). The student will have opportunities to participate in overseas fieldwork. The project will include at least one paid internship at BG Group, where the student will have the opportunity to use their geologic knowledge in a business setting.

The project will commence as soon as the appointed student is available.

Application Procedure

Potential applicants should contact Professor Ben Kneller prior to submitting a formal application.

Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/postgraduate/apply.shtml.