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Algoa Bay Research
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and SAEON offer the following Physical Oceanography
PhD/MSc research projects (see attached descriptions) for 2014:
1.
The influence of the Agulhas Current on the inshore and coastal waters around Algoa
Bay.
2. Modelling of the water circulation of Algoa Bay using high resolution ROMS.
3. Bay-scale thermohaline circulation, fronts and mixing in Algoa and St Francis Bays.
The NMMU offers PhDs and MScs in Oceanography in Physical, Chemical or Biological Oceanography.
For further information contact:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Prof. Eileen E Campbell
Director, School of Environmental Sciences
Department of Botany, P O Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University,
Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa
E-mail: Eileen.Campbell@nmmu.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)41-504 2329
Fax: +27 (0)41-583 2317
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SAEON Egagasini
Private Bag X2
Roggebaai
Cape Town
8012
South Africa
wayne@saeon.ac.za
http://www.saeon.ac.za
28 August 2013
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in collaboration with the South
African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) invites applications from suitably
qualified individuals for the position of
Master or Doctoral student in physical oceanography (coastal)
A Master or Doctoral position in physical oceanography (coastal) is available at NMMU to study
the influence of the Agulhas Current on the inshore and coastal waters around Algoa Bay.
Recent research has shown that upwelling driven by the Agulhas Current penetrates over the
shelf and into both Algoa Bay and St Francis Bay during large meanders in the Agulhas Current
(Natal Pulses). Although measurements offshore Algoa Bay confirms this phenomenon, the
theory behind it is poorly understood for this region. It is suspected that the cold water moves
onshore in the bottom boundary layer either during the encroachment of the Current onto the
coastline or during the divergence of the Current away from the coastline around the core the
eddy. This needs further investigation.
This study will focus on constructing descriptive and analytical models, and possibly numerical
models, which together with observations will gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms
that cause this upwelling. Data is available on an ongoing basis through SAEON’s Algoa Bay
and St Francis Bay Long-Term Research Programmes but students will be encouraged to plan
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their own supplementary moorings and participate on research cruises, should the opportunity
arise.
Applicants must be a South African citizen and have a minimum qualification of Honours (for
Masters) or MSc (for Doctoral) in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Physical Oceanography or
Statistics, They should be knowledgeable at solving simplified nonlinear partial differential
equations, such as the Navier-Stokes equations, and working with physical theories.
Programming skills at any language, in particular Matlab, and working with large datasets would
be a distinct advantage.
The successful candidate is required to register for a MSc or PhD at NMMU.
The position will remain open until filled. The successful candidate should be available to start
once funding is secured and after registering at NMMU. The student will be supervised by Dr
Wayne Goschen (and by Dr Juliet Hermes and other renowned modelers if the numerical
modeling option is pursued).
Applications should include a detailed Curriculum Vitae, contact details of at least three
referees, a copy of your SA ID document and a covering letter summarising the reasons for
applying (email will suffice) to wayne@saeon.ac.za.
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SAEON Egagasini
Private Bag X2
Roggebaai
Cape Town
8012
South Africa
wayne@saeon.ac.za
http://www.saeon.ac.za
28 August 2013
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in collaboration with the South
African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) invites applications from suitably
qualified individuals for the position of
Master or Doctoral student in physical oceanography (coastal modelling)
A Master or Doctoral position in physical oceanography (coastal modelling) is available to model
the water circulation of Algoa Bay using high resolution ROMS. For an MSc the student can
formulate a process driven model, where factors such as wind, tides and bathymetry drive or
influence the water motion. This will gain a deeper understanding of the ocean dynamics of
Algoa Bay. For the PhD study the student is expected to develop and validate a high resolution
model and investigate the circulation of the bay and the impacts of large scale processes.
In situ observational data is available on an ongoing basis through SAEON’s Algoa Bay LongTerm Research Programme but students will be encouraged to plan their own supplementary
moorings and participate on research cruises, should the opportunity arise.
Applicants must be a South African citizen and have a minimum qualification of Honours (for
Masters) or MSc (for Doctoral) in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Physical Oceanography or
Statistics, They should be knowledgeable at solving simplified nonlinear partial differential
equations, such as the Navier-Stokes equations, and working with physical theories. Expert
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programming skills at any language, in particular Matlab, and working with large datasets is
recommended.
The successful candidate is required to register for a MSc or PhD at NMMU. The position will
remain open until filled. The successful candidate should be available to start after registering at
NMMU and once funding is secured. The student will be supervised by Dr Wayne Goschen and
Dr Juliet Hermes, and possibly by other renowned modelers.
Applications should include a detailed Curriculum Vitae, contact details of at least three
referees, a copy of your SA ID document and a covering letter summarising the reasons for
applying (email will suffice) to wayne@saeon.ac.za.
6
SAEON Egagasini
Private Bag X2
Roggebaai
Cape Town
8012
South Africa
wayne@saeon.ac.za
http://www.saeon.ac.za
28 August 2013
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in collaboration with the South
African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) invites applications from suitably
qualified individuals for the position of
Master or Doctoral student in physical oceanography (coastal)
A study leading to a MSc or PhD in physical oceanography is offered which investigates the
bay-scale thermohaline circulation, fronts and mixing in Algoa and St Francis Bays over short
and long time periods. Upwelled water switches from one side of the bays to the other with a
change in wind direction. This happens over short periods of the order of the weather band (4-8
days) and over seasonal time scales as the northeasterly winds increase in strength and
frequency during summer and drop off during winter. Warm Agulhas Current waters regularly
enter the bays through surface plumes and filaments, while cold water driven by the Current and
open ocean influences also penetrates into the bays. Heating of the surface waters through
solar radiation causes sharp thermoclines, as does wind-forced mixing of the upper layers
(which may erode the thermocline). Low salinity water enters the bays from rivers, pipelines,
canals and fresh water springs along the shoreline. These sources lead to temperature/salinity
fronts that have their own dynamics in the bay and have a large influence on the biology, but are
poorly understood. Research on fronts in Algoa Bay remains meager and they haven’t yet been
quantified. A comparison between the two bays could be made.
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In situ observational data is available on an ongoing basis through SAEON’s Algoa Bay and St
Francis Bay Long-Term Research Programmes. However, students are encouraged to plan
their own supplementary measurements and participate on research boat field trips and, should
the opportunity arise, on research cruises off the Eastern Cape coast.
Applicants must be a South African citizen and have a minimum qualification of Honours (for
Masters) or MSc (for Doctoral) in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Physical Oceanography or
Statistics, They should be knowledgeable at working with simplified nonlinear partial differential
equations, such as the Navier-Stokes equations, the Heat Budget and working with physical
theories. Programming skills at any language and working with large datasets is an advantage.
The successful candidate is required to register for a MSc or PhD at NMMU. The position will
remain open until filled. The successful candidate should be available to start once funding is
secured and after registering at NMMU. The student will be supervised by Dr Wayne Goschen.
Applications should include a detailed Curriculum Vitae, contact details of at least three
referees, a copy of your SA ID document and a covering letter summarising the reasons for
applying (email will suffice) to wayne@saeon.ac.za.