PhD Studentship: High magnitude rapid environmental change in Pleistocene Gibraltar reconstructed u

Sedimentary archives indicate past high magnitude environmental change with widespread landscape modification in Gibraltar and the surrounding region. Understanding climatic drivers and environmental responses at the Gibraltar Neanderthal world heritage site can be achieved by strategically combining recent developments in optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and amino acid racemization (AAR) applied to key Pleistocene sedimentary archives.

As a member of a dynamic team, the successful candidate will develop combined OSL-AAR chronologies, including at the world heritage Vanguard Cave on Gibraltar, and sites nearby in Spain. The focus will be sedimentary archives of Neanderthal evolution and ecology and accompany Quaternary environmental change, developing novel chronological approaches applicable to a wide range of sites.

The position will suit a highly motivated student with a strong science background capable of undertaking extended periods of fieldwork under challenging circumstances, who can work independently but also respond well to working within a team, and who is driven by a desire to solve problems. This is a well-funded CASE studentship, providing a superb opportunity to extend the scientific envelope in this exciting research area.

Funding Notes

Fully funded for a minimum of 3.5 years, studentships cover: (i) a tax-free stipend at the standard Research Council rate (at least £14,553 per annum for 2018-2019), (ii) research costs, and (iii) tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. Studentship(s) are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements. Students from EU countries who do not meet residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award.

References

This PhD project is part of the NERC funded Doctoral Training Partnership “ACCE” (Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment https://acce.shef.ac.uk/. ACCE is a partnership between the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, York and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

Selection process: Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date, and successful applicants will be notified promptly. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to take place at the University of Sheffield the w/c 12th February 2018.