Getting to the Bottom of Ice Shelves

The research methodology will be interdisciplinary and innovative, supervised by leading experts in their fields. The studentship will involve desktop analytical and experimental laboratory work collecting geological and geophysical data, and conducting detailed sedimentological and biogeochemical analyses. The project will use recently acquired highresolution bathymetric and geophysical data, seabed sediment cores and geochronological data - some of which has been previously collected by the supervisor team. The studentship will be based in Stirling but will also have access to world-class laboratory facilities at the University of Glasgow as well as other state-ofthe- art facilities if/when appropriate (e.g. BOSCORFNOC, SUERC/East Kilbride, etc).

The research methodology is designed to run in well-defined, but complementary, sequential phases: (i) sediment core analysis with emphasis on physical properties (grain size, X-ray CT, IRD counts, laminography) to understand sediment cyclicity and glaciological setting; (ii) geochemical analysis of sediment cores (XRF) to explore sediment flux provenance (terrestrial vs marine; biogenic vs icerafted layers); (iii) micropalaeontological and alkenone analysis to reconstruct palaeo sea-water temperatures, salinities and sea-ice extents. The successful candidate will receive dedicated training in each of the complementary techniques by the supervisory team, and she/he will be expected to contribute to the evolution and enhancement of the methodology throughout the project.