Ted Johnson's Home Page Ted Johnson's Home PageThis is the home page of Prof. E. R. (Ted) Johnson Mathematics, UCL. The best way to contact me is by email:-
or to leave a message on my answerphone (+44-20-7679-2854). The Mathematics Fax number is +44-20-383-5519.
Getting to the Mathematics
Department: Maps
of, and Public Transport to, UCL and Mathematics
The Mathematics Department is on the corner of Gower Place and
Gordon Street, marked as UCLU, Building 25. My room is 805, on the eighth floor.
Four Research Council Studentships.
NOW open for applications.
Non-propagating coastal trapped waves
(2 Research Council PhD Research Studentships)
Measurements of velocity fields along the coasts of oceans throughout
the world show that much of the fluid energy is contained in motions with periods
of a
few days or longer. The comparison of measurements at different places along
the same coast show that in general these low-frequency disturbances propagate
along coasts with shallow water to the right in the northern hemisphere and to
the left in the southern hemisphere. These waves have come to be known as continental
shelf waves (CSWs). It has recently been proved (by ERJ, Michael Levitin
and Leonid Parnovski, 2006), in a highly idealised model, that CSWs can be trapped
and non-propagating on curved coasts. If such non-propagating modes exist on
real coasts they would tend to be forced by atmospheric weather systems, which
have similar periods of a few days, similar horizontal extent, and a reasonably
broad spectrum in space and time. Areas where such modes were trapped would thus
be likely to show higher than normal energy in the low frequency horizontal velocity
and thus anomalous dispersion of nutrients (important for fishing industries)
and pollutants (important for power stations and effluent disposal).
1. An NERC PhD Research Studentship with ERJ and
Prof. Andrew J Willmott (Proudman
Oceanographic Laboratory)
This project will use the POLCOMS numerical model to examine the robustness
of the trapped-mode result by introducing more realistic open ocean boundary
conditions, more realistic vertical density profiles and variations in both the
offshore and alongshore depth profiles. A successful applicant would divide her/his
time between London and POL as necessary. At UCL the student will
join, in addition to the GFD group, a Mathematics
department with expertise in the theoretical aspects of trapped modes.
2. An EPSRC PhD Research Studentship with ERJ
and Dr. Leonid Parnovski (Mathematics,
UCL)
This project will consider the more mathematical aspects associated with more
realistic open ocean boundary conditions, more realistic vertical density profiles
and variations in both the offshore and alongshore depth profiles. A successful
applicant would work on both quasi-analytical numerical methods and spectral
analysis of the relevant partial differential equations. The student will
join, in addition to the GFD group, a spectral analysis
group with expertise in the theoretical
aspects of trapped mode problems.
3. An EPSRC PhD Research Studentship with ERJ
and Prof. Mike Davey (UK
Meteorological Office / UCL)
An EPSRC studentship is available for the study of the simple models of equatorial
atmosphere-oceans dynamics using modern mathematical techniques for multi-timescale
problems. A successful applicant would receive extra funding and be fully funded
to spend at least one month each year at the UK Meteorological Office in Exeter.
4. An NERC PhD Research Studentship is available
for the study of any topic agreed with a supervisor (ERJ, Robb McDonald,
Gavin Esler, Mike Davey) in the department.
UCL offers a wide-ranging programme of training in transferable skills to all graduate students and extra support to encourage students to attend UK and overseas conferences. Information on the level of stipend and details of other benefits can be found on the research council websites:- NERC and EPSRC. Applicants should have, or expect to gain, a good honours degree (first/upper second). Candidates must establish a relevant connection with the UK to meet Research Council eligibility criteria for funding of an award. Successful applicants will receive a tax-free stipend of at least £12,300 per annum, plus £2000 London Allowance. In order to be considered you need to fill in an application form. Please see UCL Graduate Application, where you can download the forms and guidelines immediately. Please specify the project of interest on the part of the form that asks what you are applying for. After you fill in this form, please send it to the Departmental Administrator, Department of Mathematics, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT. Applicants should also send their CVs, including the names of 2 referees directly to me. The closing date for all applications is 28th April 2006. Early applications are encouraged. UCL Taking Action for Equality.
A movie from the OCCAM project showing the generation of eddies in the Agulhas Current.