The Basal Roughness of Ice-Sheets from Radio- Echo Sounding: A Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship Case Study Tom Jordan, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol. (soon to be joint with Department of Geophysics, Stanford University) Image from NASA
My academic background BSc, Physics & Theoretical Physics, University of Manchester. Postdoc, Radio Glaciology, Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol. Radar geophysics. Remote sensing. Radio waves Image from NASA Ice-sheets. Visible light PhD, Biological Optics, Biological Sciences and Complexity Sciences, University of Bristol. Optical materials. Engineering biomimicry. Sensory biology.
Talk structure Background to the fellowship proposal Radio-echo sounding and ice-sheet research. Introducing the two research groups and advisors. My motivation for applying. Timeline for my application. Other information Evaluator feedback. Resources available. Hints and tips. Step-by-step guide to fellowship application 1. Excellence. 2. Impact. 3. Implementation. 4. CV of researcher.
Airborne Radio-Echo Sounding A geophysical technique that can determine internal and basal properties of ice-sheets. NASA P3 Orion with onboard radar sounder Radio-echo sounding data l Image from NASA Bed echo Radar flight-tracks for Greenland ice-sheet Bamber et al. 2013a Image from CReSIS
Digital elevation maps for Greenland Ice Sheet 4 3 RES data has been complied to map the ice thickness and topography of Greenland Ice sheet. 3 2 1 2 1 Essential boundary condition for modelling ice-sheet dynamics & sea-level prediction. 0 (km) Ice thickness Bed elevation 0 (km) If melted, ice sheet would contribute ~ 7.5 m to sea-level change Bed 2017 preview images from Chris Williams, Bristol.
Exploring the subglacial environment using radio-echo sounding Hydrological systems (channels, rivers and lakes) Deretsky et al. 2012 Geology & lithology (largely unconstrained in interior of the ice sheets) Dawes et al. 2009 Bed roughness (relates to past and present ice sheet motion) The challenge: turning `electromagnetic information into useful `geographical information.
Dustin (Dusty) Schroeder, Assistant Professor of Geophysics, Radio Glaciology group, Stanford University The two research groups Electromagnetic data analysis & signal processing. Radar systems development and design. Radar sounding of icy moons. Jonathan Bamber, Professor of Physical Geography, Bristol Glaciology Centre, University of Bristol. Remote sensing of Greenland and Antarctica. Development of digital data products and maps. Global mass balance and sea level change. Bamber et al. 2013b
My motivation for applying Skills development: To continue in radar geophysics (either in academia or industry) I required more knowledge of radar instrumentation and signal processing. Research networks: Majority of radio-echo sounding is led by American research teams (e.g. NASA). Teaching opportunities: Being based in geophysics would give me teaching opportunities related to my skill set. Working environment: A unique opportunity to join a newly formed lab. Freedom: I enjoy defining my own research problems. Leisure: California has world class rock climbing.
Timeline for my application Aug 2015 First met Dusty at glaciology conference in Cambridge. April 2016 Began collaborating with existing Greenland work. May 2016 Decide to write MC fellowship for application round in September 2016. June 2016 Fellowship idea generation phase. July 2016/Aug 2016 Wrote fellowship*. Sep 2016 Submitted fellowship. Jan 2017 Application result. * ~ 4 weeks full time work hours.
Step-by-step guide to fellowship application: 1 st document (10 pages) 1. Excellence ~ 6 pages & 50 % of marks 2. Impact ~ 2 pages & 30 % of marks 3. Implementation ~ 2 pages & 20 % of marks 2nd document (5 pages) Your CV and research experience (used to support content in 1 st document)
1.1 Excellence 1.1 Quality and credibility of the research/innovation action Introduced Radio-Echo Sounding & importance in providing boundary condition for ice-sheet models. Proposed `hidden geographical information was present in the RES data (hydrology, thermal state, geology, lithology), which required refining analysis methods. Mentioned that basal roughness is known to be a crucial control upon ice dynamics (this is not extracted from RES in a useful way for icesheet models). Identified that roughness at a finer lengthscales is required, and requires development of more sophisticated electromagnetic inversion techniques.
Overview of action: Primary and subsidiary goals of fellowship `The primary goal of this fellowship to derive systematic, quantitative estimates of metre-scale roughness for the bed of ice sheets using established concepts from EM theory and the latest advances in RES processing and data acquisition. `Subsidiary goals include: developing EM scattering models for fractal interfaces specific to ice penetrating radar; identifying and mapping regions of deformable bed; and developing a framework for combining EM scattering information from different radar systems. of ice sheets Overarching aim `An overarching aim will be to provide radar-derived information to the ice-sheet modelling community regarding the basal boundary condition.
Introduction of work packages Multidisciplinary. Four different sub-fields: (computational electromagnetics, applied statistics, signal processing, glaciology) Work Package 1: Electromagnetic methods for determining basal roughness from radar scattering (Stanford phase). Work Package 2: Geostatistical analysis of basal topography (Stanford phase). Work Package 3: Bed echo characterisation and comparison for different radar systems (Stanford phase). Work Package 4: Spatial analysis, mapping, and synthesis with ice sheet models (Bristol phase).
Description of work packages For each work package I gave: (i) a focused 1 paragraph literature review, (ii) a 1 paragraph summary of the proposed work and research aims. Some of the work packages involved references to preliminary work (and accompanying figures) e.g. Work Package 2: Geostatistical analysis of basal topography (Stanford phase) Described methods to extract roughness parameters from subglacial terrain (with overall goal of relating to ice-sheet motion). Demonstrated that there would be a knowledge transfer of geostatistical techniques from planetary radar to ice penetrating radar. Outlined preliminary work (e.g. evidence that subglacial terrain exhibits fractal-scaling behaviour).
Synergy with existing projects The fellowship will form a natural continuation of the RES analysis done by the applicant as part of a NERC (UK) funded project `Basal Properties of Greenland (extending the techniques to different radar systems and to Antarctica) The fellowship will thus act to maximise the legacy of the NERC project and make efficient use of the data generated. This fellowship will also forge a synthesis with the Stanford NASA research project `Joint Radar and Model Investigations of Greenland Basal Water Conditions.
1.2 Quality and appropriateness of the training and of the two way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host Emphasise how the 2 research groups compliment each other: the group Stanford is an instrument and technique specialist (`bottom-up ) whereas the group at Bristol is more geographically-focused (`top-down). Emphasise how knowledge gained will benefit European science: we made a case that analysis of American radar data by European groups is limited to being `higher up the processing chain (and that fellowship enables analysis of raw data) Highlight how European supervisor will gain from your new skill set: data combination from different radar systems is essential to the Bristol group s work in mapping ice-sheet-wide information Be specific about how you skills will facilitate knowledge transfer: the Stanford group have developed particular EM-theoretic approaches to characterising bed roughness & I have sufficient background in EM scattering theory to learn this.
1.3 Quality of the supervision and of the integration in the team/institution Qualifications and experience of supervisors: highlight relevant parts to project: `A distinct emphasis of Dr. Schroeder s work, directly relevant to this proposal, is the use of quantitative electromagnetic physics based methods and electrical engineering signal processing methods. `The research group of Prof. Bamber uses remote sensing data to investigate the morphology and dynamics of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Their work involves a broad-scale synthesis of different airborne and satellite methods and data, of which airborne RES analysis is a central component Hosting arrangements: Describe infrastructure & research programmes of both departments. We also described research groups at Stanford with complementary research interests in radar remote sensing.
1.4 Capacity of the researcher to reach or re-enforce a position of professional maturity/independence Mention how fellowship will build upon your past research experience: e.g. I made a case that my optics background was transferable to radar. Mention examples where you have followed your own research directions: e.g. during later part of my PhD I branched into an area of physics new to my supervisors (disordered systems). Mention examples of collaborations: (i) (ii) optical structures in marine animals mapping fjord systems in Greenland
2. Impact 2.1 Enhancing career prospects of researcher State career goal: continue working in radar geophysics & go on to lead research group in academia or industry. Research skills: Signal processing (synthetic aperture radar), radar systems, geophysics field work, geo-statistics. Teaching skills: A chance to contribute toward UG teaching programme involving electromagnetics. Research networks: radar groups from Texas & Kansas. NASA research teams.
2.2. Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the action results Publication strategy: target journals & experience publishing in them (host & researcher) Intellectual property: Data archiving (e.g. National Snow and Ice Data Center) 2.3. Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the action activities to different target audiences Conferences: key audiences and conferences (e.g. American Geophysical Union). Public engagement: project website and outreach programmes.
3. Implementation 3.1 Coherence and effectiveness of work plan Project Gantt chart 4 work packages ~ 1 year per work package. Example work package task summary ~ 2/3 tasks & 1 publication (`milestone ) per work package.
3.2 Allocation of takes and resources: Describe strategy behind work plan (division between theoretical/radar systems work at Stanford and applied/geographical work at Bristol) 3.3 Appropriateness of the management structure and procedures, including risk management: Bristol provided a section on financial management & their success at managing Horizons projects. In risk management I described data availability. 3.4 Appropriateness of the institutional environment (infrastructure): Bristol & Stanford provided information, including: high performance computing facilities, buildings, research metrics, post-doc scholar numbers, etc
4. CV of researcher (second document of ~ 5 pages) Summary of academic background ~ 1 page summary of research skills, interests, projects, outputs and career goals. Major research accomplishments - I described 3 most significant research papers/discoveries. (i) Non-polarizing fish reflectors (applied optics) (ii) Polarization-control in disordered optical media (pure physics) (iii) Radar attenuation/temperature of Greenland Ice Sheet (glaciology) Academic CV - Publications, Presentations, Teaching Experience, Research Skills, Supervision, Outreach,. Match between profile and project - Past research in electromagnetism and optics can be transferred to radio glaciology - Interdisciplinary skill set and outlook.
Evaluator feedback 1. Excellence The research programme is highly innovative in involving electromagnetic scattering properties to estimate metre-scale basal roughness of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. The state-of-the-art related to the new methods is very clearly explained and provides an excellent background to formulate the research aims and objectives. The training, new knowledge gained and transferable skills are specific. The principal host (Stanford) can gain substantially, not only from the specific technical expertise of the researcher in radar analysis, but also from the researcher's multidisciplinary background. The proposal clearly documents the high quality of the research groups at both host institutions and their extensive expertise in the domain of the planned research.
2. Impact Evaluator feedback (2) Researcher shows clear development path and has identified relative lack of knowledge in radar technology. Stated training goals will lead to maximum competitiveness. Prospect of gaining teaching experience. Ambitious but realistic publication strategy. Lack of a detailed plan for outreach. 3. Implementation Coherent work plan, well focused work packages and milestones, realistic time line for tasks. Contribution to training by both institutions is well explained. Organisation, management and infrastructure is clearly described. Lack of a detailed risk management strategy.
Resources and help available to me Support from RED at Bristol (Tom Bowker) - UoB fellowship template. - Proof reading service for proposal draft. Examples of past successful grants - (i) UoB example Marie Curie fellowship proposal - (ii) Marie Curie proposal from a past fellow in Bristol Glaciology - (iii) Other successful fellowships involving Radio-Echo Sounding (e.g. my current NERC grant). 1 hour workshop at EGU conference (very helpful to understand the exact assessment criteria).
General tips Be specific about skills and training development (gaps in your CV can be turned into an advantage). Be clear about how your skills and experience will benefit each research group & enable effective knowledge transfer. Emphasise multi- and inter-disciplinary aspects of the project. If you can, find a synergy between your project and existing research programmes. Mention preliminary work that supports proposal. Make sure your proposal is strong in all 3 categories (excellence, impact & implementation).