"PhD Studentship: Predicting population exposure to geomorphic hazards in dynamic rivers. NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2026 Entry"

About the Partnership

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:

• An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £20,780 p.a. for 2026/27) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
• Payment of university tuition fees
• The budget for project costs is £9,000 which can be used for computer, lab, and fieldwork costs necessary for you to conduct your research.
• There is also a conference budget of £2,000 and individual Training Budget of £1,000 for specialist training

Project Aims and Methods

River migration (by bank erosion and avulsion) displaces thousands of vulnerable people annually, is likely to worsen significantly under climate change, and is challenging to predict. This project will develop and evaluate new approaches to predicting current and future population exposure to such hazards by combining numerical modelling and remote sensing of river migration, with machine learning and dynamic population projections to 2100, thus addressing two key science questions: How can geomorphic hazards in dynamic rivers and population exposure to such hazards best be predicted?; How will future climate change affect these hazards? The PhD researcher will have scope to determine: Selection of study rivers/locations; hazard focus (river migration by bank erosion or avulsion); methodological focus (degree of emphasis on prediction by numerical modelling versus machine learning); optional inclusion of (non-essential) field work within the project. Supervisors will provide training in river dynamics and, if appropriate, field work (Nicholas, Aalto); numerical modelling (Nicholas, Hawker); machine learning (Hawker, Aalto); and analysis of remote sensing (Aalto) and population datasets (Hawker). The supervisors have strong existing collaborations (NERC NE/T007478/1; NE/S015612/1). The project combines Exeter’s strength in modelling and monitoring river evolution with Bristol’s expertise in geospatial modelling of population dynamics and hazard exposure.

Useful recruitment links:

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: a.p.nicholas@exeter.ac.uk