Investigating the Importance of Underlying Basement Rocks and Faulting on Overlying Structure, Hydrogeology, and Surface Vertical Motion – the Sydney and Melbourne “Basins” in Australia

Project Code: PAUL_RHUL_ARIES27_CASE

Investigating the Importance of Underlying Basement Rocks and Faulting on Overlying Structure, Hydrogeology, and Surface Vertical Motion – the Sydney and Melbourne “Basins” in Australia

Project Code: PAUL_RHUL_ARIES27_CASE

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Jonathan Paul, Faculty of Science, Royal Holloway, University of London – contact me

Professor Richard Ghail, RHUL

Dr Nic Scarselli, RHUL

 

Scientific Background

The sub-surface of both Melbourne and Sydney (Australia) is similar to London and characterised by a supposedly simple, docile sub-surface sedimentary basin. Our hypothesis to be tested is that both cities, in fact, are underlain by a tectonically active, highly faulted, basement, which governs overlying hydrogeology, surface motion, and stratigraphic structure. The candidate will probe the disposition of this basement under the two cities, and the potential effects of faulting on drinking water supply and sub-surface geotechnical risk. To do this, the candidate will construct detailed ground models that will be validated against seismological, hydrogeological, and surface motion observables.

 

Research Methodology

1 – Collation of borehole (e.g. >500 Geoscience Australia records for Sydney) and geophysical data to construct ground models, leading to an enhanced representation of faulting and structure e.g. flower structures.

2 – Persistent Scatterer Interferometric (PSI) data download and processing to obtain surface motion maps across both cities.

3a – Full waveform inversion using existing seismograms to produce crisp images of the subsurface

3b – Hydrogeological modelling using the ground model as an input, to indicate the degree of aquifer compartmentalisation beneath both cities.

 

Training

The candidate will receive personalised software training; specifically in the use of Python for processing remotely sensed interferometric data, and spatial mapping packages (ArcGIS and QGIS), as well as industry-standard ground modelling software. We will also hold regular transferable skills sessions, including production of academic journal articles and scientific oral and poster presentations, as well as an introduction to project and financial management.

 

Person Specification

Applicants should have a good level of numeracy commensurate with the project methodology. An enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and original approaches, straddling the shared space between geology and sub-surface engineering, is likewise desirable.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Geology; Geophysics; Civil / Environmental Engineering; Environmental (Geo)science; Chemistry; Geography; Physics

References

  • Paul J.D., 2016. High-resolution geological maps of central London, UK: Comparisons with the London Underground. Geoscience Frontiers, 7(2), 273–286
  • Morgan T., R. Ghail, J. Lawrence, 2021. Major faulting in London: Evidence for inherited basement faults in the London Basin. QJEGH, 54(3), 193.
  • Webster M., D. Paul, J. Griffith, T. O’Shannessy, J. Weaver, 2023. Leveraging geotechnical databases to improve outcomes for land development and infrastructure projects. Proc. 14th Australia and New Zealand Conf. Geomechanics, Cairns 2023 (ANZ2023), 1–6
  • Scoular, J.; Ghail, R.; Mason, P.; Lawrence, J.; Bellhouse, M.; Holley, R.; Morgan, T., 2020. Retrospective InSAR Analysis of East London during the Construction of the Lee Tunnel. Remote Sensing, 12, 849.
  • Rowe J.M., and J.D. Paul, 2021. Cooling the London Underground: Evaluating the use of groundwater and subterranean river water. Sustainable Cities and Society, 76, 103531

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the Royal Holloway Application Portal