PhD STUDENTSHIP

DART - Detection of Archaeological Residues using remote sensing Techniques www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/dart

Studentship: Mapping geotechnical and geophysical properties of soil for the detection of archaeological residues
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship within the School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK. The candidate will work as part of a multi-university, multi-disciplinary project called Detection of Archaeological Residues using remote sensing Techniques (DART), which will focus on analysing the physical and environmental factors that influence archaeological residues contrast dynamics with the overall aim of improving feature detection. This studentship will focus on the interaction between geophysical signal propagation and the soil matrix from an engineering viewpoint. Different types of soil will be analysed as part of extensive laboratory tests using conductivity and TDR (time domain reflectometry) probes. Soils will be classified from an engineering viewpoint, for example determining the index parameters (liquid and plastic limits), the geochemistry of the ground as well as standard properties such as water content, density and particle size distribution. In parallel, a monitoring array is to be developed and built. This will be permanently installed in the field where differences in soil properties (with and without archaeological residues) can be monitored. The physical impact of the archaeological residues on the surrounding soil matrix will also be investigated. This will allow the candidate to gain a wide range of relevant skills and knowledge, as well as allowing flexibility in choosing a specific PhD research topic. The research is expected to encompass some or all of the following elements: Measuring the geophysical, geotechnical and other relevant properties of soils and sediments in the laboratory and in the field Relating those data to existing British Geological Survey geotechnical data bases Construction, installation and monitoring of field stations to monitor changes in

the soil properties Prototyping of computer software to allow prediction of geophysical and other relevant properties of soil data from geotechnical data Production of a Knowledge Based System based on the geophysical properties of soil/sediment that can be used to identify appropriate sensors, sensor calibrations and conditions for archaeological residue detection.

The studentship should appeal to candidates with a minimum of an upper second class honours degree with an interest in engineering (civil, electrical and mechanical), geotechnical and geophysical engineering and. earth sciences. The candidate should ideally have the following essential skills: Good numerical, signal analysing and programming skills, ideally using Matlab Understanding the engineering properties of soil and the techniques to determine these or a willingness to learn these skills Confidence in working in the laboratory and developing and building measuring arrays Experience of field work would be an advantage Good communication and writing skills The candidate needs to be enthusiastic, be able to work in multi-university teams as well as on his/her own, have the ability to drive the project forwards and be able to liaise with external stakeholders. If a candidate has some but not all of the essential skills and a real interest in the project, then please feel free to contact us to discuss your suitability. Please note, it is not essential to have a background in archaeology, as archaeology is only one of the applications for this research. Other applications include the detection of buried utilities and ordnance (e.g. landmines): these topics both have active research communities (see www.mappingtheunderworld.ac.uk). All of these have a common need to improve current detection rates by understanding how geophysical signals penetrate through the ground, signal interaction with the soil matrix and how changes to localised conditions change signal characteristics. Under AHRC funding rules, this studentship is only available to UK residents (as defined by AHRC rules: http://tinyurl.com/ahrc-elegibility). The stipend will be paid at current AHRC rates (13290 in 2009/10) per annum for three years full-time and the project will also cover university PhD registration fees. Residents of other EU countries may apply, but are only eligible for the fees award -- they would need to have their own sources to cover their living expenses. The latest start date for the studentship is 1/10/2010. The position will remain open until filled. Applications by July 30th are strongly encouraged. Please e-mail your curriculum vitae (CV) to Dr Nicole Metje (Telephone 0121 414 4182, Fax: 0121 414 3675, e-mail: n.metje@bham.ac.uk).