Scholarship description:
Evidence for global change is emerging (IPCC, 2007). While human induced climate change is largely accepted, discrepancies in Global Climate Model predictions, particularly when downscaling to regional scales, result in uncertainty regarding the potential impacts that may be expected. Incomplete knowledge of natural variability, regional system dynamics as well as a limited understanding of the interactions between land use and climate further hampers our ability to make confident predictions that are needed to inform mitigation and adaptation planning towards resilience. Of critical importance is understanding these collective issues as they relate to the delivery of water in South Africa.
The Drakensberg escarpment is the most important water production area the country. The South African Environmental Observation Network’s mandate is to undertake long term monitoring to detect and understand the impacts of human induced climate change. Restoring monitoring to continue the historic long term record of the Cathedral Peak catchment experiments is thus a core function of the SAEON Grasslands Wetlands forest node, aimed providing a data platform to explore and detect change, identify drivers of spatial and temporal changes to water resources, and improve our understanding of dynamics and feedbacks of processes that are affected by change. The work is being conducted in close collaboration with UKZN and EKZNW.
Research undertaken by the candidate will be:
· To review research regarding climate change impacts on the water sector that is of relevance to the Drakensberg.
· Collate, verify and infill the historic stream flow and weather data from Cathedral Peak to a useable, verified and reliable product
· Develop, conduct and document protocols for time series analyses and routines for analysing historic and emerging catchment stream flow and weather data to detect patterns of natural variability from human induced change.
· Recommend analysis protocols, critical research gaps and additional monitoring activities required to reduce model uncertainty.
· The candidate will be expected to produce at least two papers, preferably more, in accredited scientific journals on the work conducted within the Post Doc.
The opportunity exists (time and skills dependant) to use data to improve the representation of downscaled rainfall data for use in hydrological models.
Eligibility: The candidate needs to be a South African citizen or a citizen of an African country, and SADC students will be given preference. In addition the candidate needs to be in possession of a valid driver’s licence and have record of acceptance of publications into accredited journals.
The successful candidate should be driven, disciplined, able to work as a member of a team, and be able to set and meet own deadlines. The candidate is expected to have a PhD degree in hydrology, statistics, environmental science, climatology or a related discipline, with demonstrated knowledge of global environmental change research issues. Experience in in geographical information systems (GIS), will be advantageous and knowledge of hydrological modelling (or a modelling background) is desired. Proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is essential.
Scholarship package: R 200 000.00 for one year. This is a full-time Post-Doctorial position based in Pietermaritzburg with an office at the SAEON GFW node (www.saeon.ac.za), Queen Elisabeth Park and in association with the Pietermaritzburg campus of the University of KwaZulu- (www.ukzn.ac.za). The candidate will be expected to cover all living expenses including travel to and from the work place out of this stipend. All project running costs will be covered through the project budget. The candidate will be expected to find private accommodation, and make own arrangements for medical insurance and study permits if they are an international student.
How to Apply: All applicants need to submit a copy of their CV (with at least three traceable references), their academic record, a copy of their ID or passport, drivers licence, a letter of motivation and at least two examples of recent scientific publications from accredited journals to: sue@ saeon.ac.za
Application deadline: 30 April 2013