Find details of the projects  below.

Available Projects:

Project 1: Large InSAR dataset for training foundational machine learning models

Supervisors: Robert Popescu and Dr Nantheera Anantrasirichai (University of Bristol)

Sentinel-1 has acquired almost 2 million images, which could be used to train foundational machine learning models. While a vast number of InSAR images are available, the data is not organized or grouped in meaningful classes and contains duplicates. In this project, you will create a curated dataset using the existing interferograms on the COMET LICS system. You will learn to use existing machine learning and mathematical techniques for curating data. You will then create a pipeline similar to the one presented in DINOv2 (Oquab et al. 2024), which includes data deduplication and image retrieval. Lastly, you will test the resulting dataset on a simple model, such as a self-supervised image encoder.

Project 2: Degassing Dynamics from the Galápagos

Supervisors: Dr Ben Esse, Dr Brendan McCormick Kilbride and Prof. Mike Burton (University of Manchester)

The Galápagos Islands are a group of highly active volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, where 11 eruptions have occurred in the last decade. Conducting research on these islands is difficult due to their remote and protected nature, making satellite measurements ideal for monitoring the volcanic activity. In this project, you will combine
high-resolution SO2 imagery from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) with the PlumeTraj trajectory analysis toolkit developed at the University of Manchester to reconstruct the sub-daily SO2 emission rates from these eruptions. You will investigate similarities and differences in the emissions, as well as quantifying inter-eruptive passive degassing to investigate possible eruption precursors. This work will provide key information for understanding the eruption mechanisms of these volcanoes.

How to apply:

Eligibility: To be eligible for this scheme you must: (1) be a current 2nd-4th year undergraduate student with no prior research internship experience, and (2) hold the right to work in the UK. Earth Sciences is the least diverse STEM subject, and therefore we
strongly encourage applicants from minority backgrounds and those who are the first generation in their families to have attended University.

Salary: Interns will be paid approximately at University of Leeds Grade 3 (~£427.19 pw).

Application Form: https://forms.gle/mArjRnCS9BpU55pA7 (~20 minutes to complete)

Application Deadline: Friday 25th April 2025, 5:00 pm