Andy Baker is a UNSW Sydney academic and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow.
His research aims to generate new knowledge that is only possible by combining the analysis of cave stalagmites, underground hydrological monitoring, and climate hydrological modelling to identify when this replenishment occurred in the past, present, and future.
His research will use caves and cave stalagmites to define the role of climate phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, and the Indian Ocean Dipole in the replenishment of groundwater.
This work will help identify where groundwater can be sustainably used for water supply and industrial use in the future and to mitigate the impacts of prolonged droughts that are predicted as result of climate change.
Positions available (updated July 2025)
The Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship ‘Caves and their stalagmites: linking climate to groundwater recharge’ awarded to Andy Baker (UNSW Sydney, Australia) has opportunities for honours, postdoctoral researchers and PhD projects in the following areas. Positions are for start from 2025 and will remain open until filled.
Postdoctoral positions available (updated March 2025)
These positions have been filled.
PhD positions available (updated July 2025)
PhD 1: Using long-term hydrology records from caves to explore the amount of rainfall needed to replenish groundwater and the climate and weather needed. Filled!
PhD 2: Using laser scanner 3D mapping of caves to understand water flow pathways from the surface to the groundwater (collaborating with Kashif Mahmud, Midwestern State University USA). Recruiting now!
PhD 3: Climate, recharge, and groundwater sustainability (collaborating with Gabriel Rau, University of Newcastle). Recruiting in 2026.
PhD 4: Climate, recharge, and groundwater policy (collaborating with Marilu Melo Zurita and Cameron Holley, UNSW). Recruiting in 2026.
Positions come with stipends with top-up (total: over $48,000 pa) funded from the Fellowship Project. They are open to Domestic and International Students, however International applicants will have to apply for or have a Tuition Fee Scholarship.
For general information on how to apply, including language requirements, costs and timeline, see: https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/hdr/application
For more information, interested applicants should contact Andy Baker (a.baker@unsw.edu.au), stating which PhD position they are interested in and providing a copy of their cv.
I can also be found on Mastodon
Andy Baker 