Please note: Project vacancies in the Ryan Institute will be advertised on this page, any unsolicited requests for Master’s or Ph.D degrees will not be dealt with.
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Hydrogeological Controls on Naturally Elevated Metal Concentrations in Irish Groundwater Sources
The Biogeoscience Group in Earth and Ocean Sciences at NUI Galway (www.nuigalway.ie/biogeoscience/griffith/welcome.html) seeks a Master’s student to expand its research in groundwater geochemistry and hydrogeology. The research programme targets national priorities of providing added?value geoscience research based on databases at the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI) in support of the optimum use of natural resources.
The presence of elevated concentrations of metals from natural and anthropogenic sources limits the availability of safe potable water supplies globally. Recently, it has emerged that certain groundwater systems in Ireland may contain elevated levels of metals, in excess of regulatory standards. Understanding the hydrogeology and geology (bedrock and quaternary) of the site is a fundamental requirement to determine the source of metals in these groundwater supplies, the metal dispersion within the flow systems, the geochemical evolution of metals along transport pathways, and the geochemical implications on the surrounding environment.
The Master’s student will work on the hydrogeological characterization of the bedrock aquifers located in the study areas. This may include performing pumping tests to derive aquifer parameters, site?specific groundwater vulnerability mapping to verify/improve existing mapping, seasonal water level surveys, datalogger installation, and stream/spring discharge measurements. The information collected will be integrated into a site conceptual model that will include aqueous geochemical data and mineralogical data collected as part of other projects.
The project requires extensive amounts of field data collection and there will be extended periods of travel in Ireland, outside of Galway. The successful candidate will have at least an upper Second Class Honours degree and a good fundamental knowledge of Environmental Science. The candidate will have coursework and/or work experience in hydrogeology and geology. The candidate will have the opportunity to work as part of an inter?disciplinary team consisting of several academic researchers, government agencies (Geological Survey of Ireland) and local authority representatives.
For further information and to apply, please send an electronic copy of your CV via email to Dr. Barbara Petrunic (barbara.petrunic@nuigalway.ie). The CV should be a maximum of 4 pages and contain details of degrees awarded, specific courses taken that relate to the above research, and the contact information for 2 referees. Please use the subject line ‘Griffith MSC application’ and copy Dr. Liam Morrison (liam.morrison@nuigalway.ie) and Mr. Tiernan Henry (tiernan.henry@nuigalway.ie).
The closing date for the applications is 17:00 on 29th February 2012.
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For other postgraduate vacancies at NUI Galway visit NUI Galway’s Career Development Centre website.
