Studentship at University of Edinburgh

Modelling moisture transport through stone: predicting the effects
of climate change on cultural heritage

Fully Funded PhD Studentship

Institute for Materials and Processes
School of Engineering and Electronics
The University of Edinburgh

Supervisor: Professor Christopher Hall

A three-year PhD research studentship is available immediately to
work on a joint Edinburgh - Oxford project funded by a grant from
the Leverhulme Trust. The project is to combine field and laboratory
observations with mathematical modelling to investigate the decay of
stone structures in southern England, and to assess the impact of
climate change on damage processes.

A strong interest and demonstrated aptitude for numerical and
analytical modelling is required. A first or upper second honours
degree or equivalent in a physical science, engineering or applied
mathematics is the most appropriate academic qualification, but
candidates coming from other subject areas will be considered.

The main responsibilities and duties would include:

    Develop modelling software for water transport through stone
    based on materials properties and micro-environmental data

    Participate in defining field measurements and designing field
    and laboratory experiments

    Test data obtained from field and laboratory experiments using
    the model developed

    Use the model developed to test data from climate change
    predictions

    Contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to
    appropriate peer reviewed journals

    Participate in the overall activities of the research team and
    department as required

The student will be registered for a PhD degree in the School of
Engineering and Electronics at the University of Edinburgh. Further
information about postgraduate study at the University of Edinburgh
can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus at:
<URL:http://www.ed.ac.uk/>

Fees and a stipend will be paid at the standard Research Council
rate, which includes: tuition fees (currently UKP3,667) and a
tax-free stipend (UKP12,600 in the first year, with annual
increases) for three years. Candidates must be resident in the UK or
the European Union.

Interested applicants should send their CV to or request further
information from

    Prof Christopher Hall
    +44 131 650 5679
    christopher.hall [at] ed__ac__uk

To apply, please send a CV by 10 January 2008 to
christopher.hall [at] ed__ac__uk

Early applications are particularly welcome.

Dr Julie A Eklund
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Oxford University Centre for the Environment
University of Oxford
South Parks Road
Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
+44 1865 285070
Fax: +44 1865 275885


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:35
                Distributed: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-35-023
                                  ***