Applications are invited for an outstanding student to undertake a fully-funded 3-year PhD research project in landslide geomorphology based in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury, joint with GNS Science. The project is supported by a grant from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST) and includes a 3-year stipend of $25,000 per annum (tax free), university fees, and research costs, including funding to support travel to national and international conferences.

Project Title: The role of Deep-seated Landslides in the Waipaoa S2S System

PhD Project Outline: This research project forms a key component of the MARGINS Source to Sink (S2S) initiative, with an over-arching goal being to develop a quantitative understanding of margin sediment dispersal systems and associated stratigraphy. The study area is the Waipaoa River Catchment on the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.

A major knowledge gap exists with respect to the role of large-scale deep-seated bedrock defect controlled landslides in S2S systems, which have the potential to be a significant contributor to sediment yield. Large, infrequent events, such as subduction earthquakes, are inferred to trigger and reactivate deep-seated landslides and thus significantly add to sediment storage and delivery, yet their impact on the overall sediment flux is not known. Equally, the spatial and temporal delivery of sediment derived from such deep-seated failures to the river channels, and the time-lags associated with the sediment transfer downstream remain poorly constrained. Thus in this PhD study we propose to evaluate:

• Deep-seated landslide initiation and failure mechanisms, by a combination of field-based bedrock and geomorphic mapping, landslide stability modelling, and geotechnical analysis of selected landslides; and
• Sediment erosion and delivery in response to deep-seated landsliding, by i) dating cycles of landslide activity; and ii) using GIS to quantify sediment and erosion volumes, numerical landscape evolution modelling, and comparison with modern analogues

This project provides an opportunity to produce innovative insights into how deep-seated landsliding evolves and varies in both time and space. By coupling field results with numerical simulations, we will aim to unravel landslide response to triggering mechanisms and in turn quantify their influence on landscape evolution and sediment production.

This project is a collaboration between the Active Tectonics and Landscape Evolution Research Programme, University of Canterbury, and GNS Science. The project will also have linkages with United States NSF-funded Margins S2S Programmes, and other research groups in New Zealand. It is expected the successful candidate will share research time between Christchurch and Wellington.

Applicants for this funded PhD project should have experience in the appropriate area(s) of geoscience. The Department of Geological Sciences has a high national and international profile and has good teaching and research facilities. Applications should submit a detailed CV, including an academic transcript, a letter detailing their suitability for this project, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. For more information see www.geol.canterbury.ac.nz. Applications and further enquiries regarding this project should be directed to the research supervisor Professor Jarg Pettinga, Head of Department, at jarg.pettinga@canterbury.ac.nz; postal address: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.

The application deadline is: 23 May 2008.
The successful applicant may commence the project immediately following this.