PhD position Physical Oceanography

*Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)*

The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is an independent
research institute associated with

the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). NIOZ was founded
in 1876 and is one of the oldest

major oceanographic institutions in Europe. Its mission is to pursue
curiosity-driven multidisciplinary marine

research in coastal and shelf seas as well as in the open ocean through
close co-operation between physicists,

chemists, geologists and biologists.

Marine research is carried out by five scientific departments: Physical
Oceanography, Marine Geology, Marine

Biogeochemistry, Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology.

*PhD position in Physical Oceanography & Seismic Acoustics *

Topic: *Observational and theoretical study of the equatorial boundary layer
*

Period: 4 years

Location: NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research – Texel,
Netherlands

Observations show that dynamically the ocean differs distinctly in a narrow
zone of ±1o near the equator

compared to off-equatorial regions. This zone is not only dominated by
strong, vertically alternating zonal

currents that inhibit cross-equatorial transport, but also its
stratification, mixing, internal wave climate

and biological diversity differ widely. Global ocean and climate models
often give a very simplified picture

of many processes in this band, and particularly those of small-scale are
badly represented, if at all. This

is partly due to lack of spatial observational resolution. The consequence
is that the predictive value

of these models is limited. In particular, neither the choking effect of
this band of zonal currents on the

meridional transport of heat, in the Atlantic Ocean of relevance to Western
European climate, nor its

variation under climate change is known.

*Geometric focusing* of small-scale internal waves, traditionally neglected,
might have an important effect

on the dynamics of the equatorial zone, which we aim to illuminate by (1) *in
situ *measurements of

physical and acoustic fields along a cross-equatorial transect; (2) use of
satellite data; (3) comparison

to theoretical and numerical model predictions; and (4) development of these
models.

The emphasis is on understanding (1) the strong and strongly varying
equatorial current pattern; (2)

the role of small-scale but intensive internal waves; (3) the role of
geometric focusing of internal

waves on the vertical transport and distribution of heat, momentum and
particles (‘acoustic

scatterers’); and (4) the possible consequences thereof for the meridional
transport of heat and

changes therein due to global climate change. The strategy will be to search
latitudinally for coherent

patterns in underwater physical and acoustic parameters, combining them with
surface meteorological

and remote sensing data.

*We offer* a full-time PhD position for 4 years, a pension scheme, a health
insurance allowance, a yearly

8% vacation allowance, year-end bonus and flexible employment conditions.
Conditions are based on

the Collective Employment Agreement of the NWO Research Institutes.

*Further information* on the project and the position can be obtained from
Prof. Leo Maas

(+31-222-369419, maas@nioz.nl, www.nioz.nl/ maas) or Dr. Hans van Haren
(+31-222-369451,

hansvh@nioz. nl), or otherwise from Jolanda Evers, Human Resources (Email:
Jolanda.evers@ nioz.nl,

phone +31-222-369371)

*Application: *

Applicants should sent an application letter, CV, and the name, postal and
email address of two

persons familiar with the previous performance of the applicant to the
Personnel Department

attended to Mrs. Jolanda Evers, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
(NIOZ), P.O. Box 59,

1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands or e-mail to: jobs@nioz.nl

Closing Date: April 20th 2009 or until a qualified candidate is identified.