PhD Studentship: NERC Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Disentangling Groundwater from Fluvial Flood Risk Across Northern Ireland’s Permeable Flood Plains

Overview

The Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT) will train the next generation of research practitioners who will make a tangible difference to future flood management in the UK & internationally. Our goal is to provide a nurturing and inspiring training environment to develop the independent future leaders we need who can translate research and innovation into practice. Find out more here: flood-cdt.ac.uk

Whilst occurring at the same time as fluvial driven floods, groundwater floods can often be misdefined. However, their duration can far exceed that of fluvial floods and can have longer term impacts to property, communities & businesses. Not recognising and detecting groundwater floods can result in flood risk management plans failing to adequately protect against the harmful effects of groundwater flooding.

The second cycle Northern Ireland Flood Risk Management Plan has included a measure to ‘Undertake a study to develop a better understanding of the potential for groundwater flooding in NI’, as recommended by the Floods Directive Technical Stakeholder Group. Current flood risk maps do not consider groundwater flooding as a driver and as such, likely understate the impact longer duration groundwater flooding may have. It is therefore essential that this flood driver is better understood & factored into future flood risk management.

This project aims to assess the susceptibility of Northern Ireland’s catchments to groundwater flooding and to compare this against current flood risk maps & measures. How groundwater flooding under future climates will also be assessed and new techniques to improve flooding maps developed.

Start date: 15/09/2025

Award duration: 3.5 years

Sponsor: NERC

Supervisor: Dr Stephen Birkinshaw, Newcastle University

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (inc. Geography, environmental science, engineering etc.). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think & work independently, excellent analytical skills & strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

Home & international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. 

Application Details:

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

• Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:
• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8040F
• The Research Area is: Civil Engineering (Environmental)
• Select PhD Civil Engineering (full-time) as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (include your research interests in flooding & rationale for your choice of project)
• The studentship code FLOOD251 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• Your CV giving details of your academic record & stating your research interests

In your application you will also need:

• The name two current academic referees together with an institutional email addresses
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
• Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL), if applicable.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact: stephen.birkinshaw@newcastle.ac.uk

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