12 Feb 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
University of Galway- Research Field
Geosciences » Other- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
Ireland- Application Deadline
11 Mar 2024 - 17:01 (Europe/Dublin)- Type of Contract
Not Applicable- Job Status
Other- Hours Per Week
39- Offer Starting Date
1 May 2024- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Application(s) are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time funded PhD scholarship(s) starting in [May,2024] affiliated to the [College of Science and Engineering / School of Natural Sciences / Earth and Ocean Sciences / Ryan Institute] at the University of Galway.
University of Galway
Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence
For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie
Detailed Project Description
External exposure to terrestrial gamma radiation represents a significant component to the total average annual dose received by a person living in Ireland from all sources of ionising radiation. External gamma ray doses from natural radionuclides originate largely from the decay of radionuclides belonging to the radioactive decay series of 238U, 235U and 232Th, as well as from the decay of 40K, all of which have been present on the Earth since its formation. In addition, a number of artificial radionuclides (e.g., 137Cs and 241Am) have been deposited throughout Ireland as a result of fallout from nuclear weapons testing and accidental releases such as those from the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. Since terrestrial gamma radiation depends on the nature of the underlying bedrock and soil composition, as well as the pattern of deposition of artificial radionuclides, an individual’s annual dose as a result of this exposure pathway will largely be determined by their place of residence. Several studies of gamma dose rates from natural and artificial radionuclides in Ireland were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s, and these have formed the basis for the estimation of terrestrial gamma radiation doses in the periodic assessments which are carried out by the EPA on the average annual radiation doses received by the Irish population from all sources of ionising radiation. By undertaking a comprehensive new survey of natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations and gamma ray dose rates throughout Ireland, and linking the results of these ground surveys to the detailed radiometric data generated by the Tellus airborne surveys which have been conducted by the Geological Survey of Ireland since 2012, the GRaDE project aims to develop a better understanding of the geographical distribution of natural and artificial gamma-emitting radionuclide concentrations in the Irish terrestrial environment with a view to providing a more accurate, up to date estimate of the average annual effective dose that a member of the Irish public receives as a result of exposure from terrestrial gamma radiation. By making use of a combination of high-resolution gamma spectrometry measurements, direct gamma dose rates gathered in the field using calibrated field monitors, and the gamma dose rates inferred from available aerial radiometric data on uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations, and 137Cs deposition from the Tellus programme, a set of new, high-resolution maps on radionuclide concentrations and gamma ray dose rates throughout Ireland will be generated using appropriate Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools. These maps, together with information on population density, will be used to generate a map of outdoor gamma ray doses in Ireland and to investigate the range and average annual doses to a member of the Irish public arising from terrestrial gamma radiation.
The work undertaken by the PhD student will include a combination of field work (soil sampling), radiometric determination using high-resolution gamma spectrometry with HPGe detectors and in-situ air kerma dose rate measurements using portable detectors. A significant portion of the project work will be undertaken in the EPA’s radioanalytical laboratories which are based in Dublin. It is anticipated that the PhD student will be based in the EPA laboratories (Dublin) for some time during the project.
Living allowance (Stipend): €25,000 per annum, [tax-exempt scholarship award]
University fees: €5,890 including levy
Start date: 01/05/24
Academic Entry Requirements:
Essential
- Applicants should hold, or expect to attain, as a minimum a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Science or Engineering with an interest in environmental monitoring.
- Good mathematical, computational and instrumentation skills.
Desirable
- Expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Data Analysis and Remote Sensing
- Appropriate Masters (Level 9 NFQ) degree or equivalent in GIS or a closely related discipline.
- Programming experience.
- Research or industrial experience in GIS and Remote Sensing and Data Analytics.
To Apply for the Scholarship:
Expressions of interest comprising submission of a covering letter, CV, statement of personal research interests, evidence of performance or equivalent and the contact details of two referees, to be submitted via e-mail to:
Contact Name: Dr Liam Morrison and Dr Eve Daly
Contact Email:[email protected] / [email protected]
Application Deadline: 11/03 /2024and time 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format)
Requirements
- Research Field
- Geosciences » Other
- Education Level
- Undergraduate
- Research Field
- Geosciences » Other
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- University of Galway
- Country
- Ireland
- State/Province
- Galway
- City
- Galway
- Geofield
Where to apply
[email protected]
Contact
- State/Province
Ireland- City
Galway- Website
https://www.universityofgalway.ie/- Street
University Road- Postal Code
H91 TK33
[email protected]
STATUS: EXPIRED