Measuring sea ice thickness with long range UAS (PhD)
Antarctic supervisor Wolfgang Rack (Gateway Antarctica)
Technology supervisor Kelvin Barnsdale (Spatial Engineering Research Centre)
Academic supervisor TBD
Applicants are invited for the following PhD Degree project within the University of
Canterbury’s College of Science.
Background
Climate warming will soon begin
to erode Antarctic sea ice as it
has done in the Arctic, therefore
reliable determination of sea ice
thickness is urgently needed. Sea
ice thickness is the critical factor
in controlling heat exchange
between ocean and atmosphere.
Unfortunately, available satellitebased estimates of sea ice
thickness around Antarctica are
confounded by the dual
challenges of thick snow on the ice surface, and ice sheet-driven accumulations of tiny ice crystals at the
base of the sea ice. We will overcome both these challenges and reliably extract sea ice thickness in
complex Antarctic conditions by convolving new electromagnetic remote sensing and radar techniques,
with observed in situ drivers of sea ice growth and decay.
This project objectives
The current methods to measure sea ice are satellite remote sensing or helicopter borne Electro-Magnetic
(EM) field instruments flown at low level. Space based measurements have insufficient accuracy to
measure freeboard heights, and helicopter operations are limited by weather and low flying height safety
concerns. This project will investigate methods to design and build an EM instrument suitable for
integration into an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capable of being flown on long range missions in the
Arctic and Antarctic. Ideally the same platform will be capable of carrying an instrument to simultaneously
measure snow depth.
Tasks
a.
To investigate the requirements for an autonomous UAS airborne instrument to measure sea ice thickness
and snow depth.
b.
Design and build a prototype EM instrument suitable for integration into a UAS airframe
c.
Design, build or procure a suitable airframe for the EM instrument, possibly including snow radar
d.
To carry out field trials of the flying instrument over representative surfaces, such as Antarctic sea ice
Prerequisites
The suitable candidate will have a background in Physics or Engineering, with strengths and interests in avionic
engineering, mechatronics or electromagnetics in physics.
Scholarships and duration
The student with excellent grades will have a high chance of winning the UC doctoral scholarship to meet the
enrolment fees and living expenses of the applicant. See
http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/future-students/fees-and-funding/scholarships/search?q=&k=,Level-PG
The duration of the project will be three years, and the student will work mainly within, and use facilities of the
Spatial Engineering Research Centre. There will be opportunity to work with Gateway Antarctica and may be required
to attend subsequent trials in the Antarctic.
Submission of applications
This opportunity will be open until filled, but the preferred start date is February 2016.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents by email to Kelvin Barnsdale,
Senior research engineer, Spatial Engineering Research Centre, (kelvin.barnsdale@canterbury.ac.nz)




Your current Curriculum Vitae
An A4 page typed statement about how your experience or interests relate to the chosen project
A reference from a supervisor or lecturer (or referee details)
A copy of your current academic grades transcript
Please ensure you include: Full legal name, postal address, email address, telephone/mobile number, programme and
year of study and student number.
Terms



The University of Canterbury reserves the right to not award the stipend if a suitable candidate is
not found.
Short listed applicants will be interviewed by the UC project supervisors, College of Science
Applicants must meet the University of Canterbury enrolment criteria for post-graduate study.