The Center for Computational Sciences at the Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany proposes a one-year student scholarship, with a possible two-year extension, in digital field mapping.

The 3D structure of the top 5km of the earth plays a crucial role in the economic welfare of nations: either in controlling the localisation of natural resources (groundwater, petroleum, minerals, geothermal energy) or from the earth's potential use as a storage medium (CO2, nuclear waste). Prior to any program of physically based modelling, it is essential to develop geometric models of these structures as the transport properties of the earth are controlled by the connectivity defined by these structures.

The aim of this two-stage project is to improve our capacity to develop 3D models of the structure of the shallow earth in real time during the structural data acquisition process i.e. all data concerning the position, orientation, spatial and temporal relationships of planar and linear features in the rocks. This project will build upon existing commercial and research codes to develop algorithms capable of helping geologists to test their field observations in real time via predictive 3D from sparse datasets modelling (using the Geomodeller calculation engine: www.geomodeller.com).

Specifically this project will develop in the first year a customized convertor from raw GIS data to the native 3D model xml input formats will be developed. This will include with error checking, and will allow real time conversion of surface observations into 3D model predictions. The model construction will draw upon the field observation, together with regional datasets such as digital terrain models, already stored in a standard geodatabase. The target platform for this software is the Trimble Field Computer ( http://www.trimble.com/ps_nomad.shtml ). Depending on the computational efficiency of the Trimble, the 3D modelling will either be carried out directly on this platform, or if necessary via a Bluetooth link to a nearby portable computer.

The student must have a Masters in science or computing, with a strong background in scientific programming, preferably in a geoscientific subject area. The code will be developed in C/C++. The student will be primarily based in Mainz, but will spend 2 months in Toulouse during the first project year. Please send an application (pdf-file) to cpasschi@uni-mainz.de. Deadline is the 15^th of July.