Post-Doctoral Opportunity in Cold Regions Hydrological Modelling
Dr Philip Marsh of Environment Canada's National Hydrology Research Centre is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow for a research project to test and develop a hydrologic model which will consider hazards to oil or gas pipelines, and to minimize environmental impacts of pipelines, in key northern environments. Research will focus on testing and improving a physically based hydrologic model, in order to improve our ability to predict:
(1) Discharge from river basins, with an emphasis on extreme events
(2) Snowcover distribution
(3) Soil freezing and melting over spatially heterogeneous terrain, and
(4) The effect of future climate change scenarios on hydrology.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in hydrology, with experience in
- Physically based modelling
- Analyzing large data sets
- Cold regions hydrological processes: snow accumulation and melt, permafrost, etc
- Writing scientific papers, and presenting results at scientific meetings
- Data sets from atmospheric models, such as re-analysis products, would be an asset.
- Excellent coding skills and interpersonal skills are essential
Duties of the successful candidate:
The successful candidate would be responsible for:
(1) Developing the required data base to drive the model. Data is available in NHRC data sets (approx. 20 years of data), as well as data housed elsewhere, including Environment Canada's operational data sets (Water Survey of Canada and Meteorological Service of Canada) and University data sets
(2) Testing the hydrologic model for Trail Valley and Havikpak Creeks near Inuvik, NWT
(3) Analyzing the resulting model output, with an emphasis on extreme events
(4) Modifying, in consultation with the model developer, the model as needed, and
(5) Participating in the writing of reports and papers stemming from this research project.
In the first year, the project will concentrate on model testing and improvement.
Subsequent years will consider
(1) Transferability of GEOtop to other basins
(2) Utility of using atmospheric model re-analysis products, and
(3) Consideration of the impact of future climate scenarios on the hydrology of these northern regions
Duration of Position: 1 year, with possible extension.
Salary: follows Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada salary guidelines for Visiting Fellow at a Federal Govt Laboratory
Starting Date: September 1, 2011 or earlier
Contact:
Dr Philip Marsh
Environment Canada National Hydrology Research Centre
Saskatoon, SK
Philip.marsh@ec.gc.ca