Within the framework of the Groundwater Resources Development and Sustainable Agriculture project, and under the sponsorship of the Danish International Development Agency, DANIDA, the Department of Earth Science of the University of Ghana in Accra offers a scholarship for a 4-year PhD position starting in August, 2015.
The position includes a 1.5-year period (not necessarily continuous) to be spent in Denmark at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS, geus.dk) and the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources Management (ign.ku.dk) at the University of Copenhagen.
Description of the research:
The main objective of this PhD project is to develop an integrated 3D hydrological groundwater-surface water model of the White Volta Basin. The work will be closely linked to two other PhD studies funded by the same project; a study aiming to develop a 3D geological model to be used by the 3D hydrological model and a study focusing on applying the 3D hydrological model to assess irrigation requirements and stakeholder interest now and in a changing climate.
The envisioned tasks are;
· Collect and quality assure historical hydrological and hydrogeological data
· Develop a conceptual model of the hydrogeology of the White Volta basin as input to the hydrological model
· Develop, calibrate, and validate a 3D transient hydrological model using state-of-the art optimization procedures on the basis of historical data (groundwater levels, river discharges, tracers)
· Collect data in the field to improve the hydrogeological model and acquire needed calibration data (well tests, monitoring, sampling)
· Perform numerical analyses on groundwater storage/resources, safe yield and rainfall-runoff processes
Requirements:
We invite candidates from different scientific fields to apply: hydrology, hydrogeology, engineering, or environmental/earth sciences. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work in an international team of geologists, geophysicists, and hydrologists. The successful candidate must be prepared to spend 1.5 years in Denmark doing research and attending courses.
In addition to the regular University of Ghana requirements for admission to the new 4-year PhD program, candidates applying for this scholarship should have:
· a grade point average of at least 3.20/4.00 from a Master of Science
· a solid background in hydrogeology (documented experience on the hydrogeology of the White Volta Basin through previous research and/or consulting is considered an asset)
· a solid background in numerical modeling of flow (proficiency in the use of any version of the Modflow or Mike SHE would be an advantage)
· be able to handle large and diverse data sets
· have an interest in doing field work
Interested candidates should send emails to Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana through the address smyidana@ug.edu.gh and yidanas117@gmail.com to express their interest.
Candidates should enclose:
1) a letter of application with a short motivation and background for applying
2) their detailed and most updated curriculum vitae;
3) a two-page dissertation abstract;
4) three letters of recommendation;
5) any other supporting documentation.
All applications should be received by March 6, 2015.
