PhD Studentship Integrated Geoscience Approach to Cost-effective Seabed Characterisation As An Enabler for Offshore Renewables

The project will investigate if integration of 3D-UHR (ultra high resolution) geophysical data and conventional 1D geotechnical site investigation data can provide a cost-effective approach to determine geotechnical parameters for direct offshore engineering design. The project will initially work on existing 3D-UHR datasets and geotechnical site investigation data (CPT and borehole), and involve pre- and post-stack processing of the 3D-UHR data; adaptation of current inversion techniques (developed by Industry partner Mark Vardy and colleagues) to extract all key physical properties along with sub-surface heterogeneity characterisation; and propagation of this quantitative characterisation in to foundation design.

Key skills: A First Class or 2:1 Degree or equivalent in a relevant Engineering or Earth Science discipline or Physics. Data analysis skills would be beneficial.

This project is funded by a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering and the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI).

The project will be carried out in collaboration with Dr Mark Vardy, Director and Head of R&D at SAND Geophysics. Opportunities will exist for the candidate to spend time at the SAND offices during parts of the project work.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Susan Gourvenec, Infrastructure Research Group, Email: susan.gourvenec@southampton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 599139.

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

:applications should be received no later than 31 August 2020 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: full tuition fees for EU/UK students plus for UK students, an enhanced stipend of 15,009 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

Applications should be made online here selecting "PhD Eng & Env (Full time)" as the programme. Please enter Susan Gourvenec under the proposed supervisor.

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk