PhD Studentship: NERC Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). A Sub-hourly Quality Controlled Blended UK Precipitation Dataset to Understand Uncertainty in Flood Predictions

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 and 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

Increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events from climate change pose significant challenges for UK flood risk management. Current precipitation datasets exhibit substantial limitations: radar precipitation estimates suffer from inaccuracies, while rain gauge networks, though more reliable, lack the density required to capture localised convective storms. The UK has a dense network of tipping bucket rain gauges (e.g., EA, SEPA, NRW), satellite coverage and comprehensive weather radar (Met Office). Blending these datasets to provide a multisource dataset can achieve much higher accuracy and broader spatial coverage for precipitation estimates, with potential benefits highlighted by successful initiatives for hourly datasets (e.g. UKGrsHP [1], CAMELS-GB2).

This research aims to explore optimal methods to provide blended high-resolution (15-min) UK precipitation datasets, developing bias-correction, disaggregation and quality control methods to preserve extreme rainfall statistics. Resulting precipitation datasets will significantly enhance understanding of rainfall dynamics, inform flood risk assessment, and support climate adaptation. This is critical for addressing the urgent need for reliable rainfall data in a rapidly changing climate, with wide-ranging implications for hydrodynamic flood modelling and infrastructure resilience.

Start date: 15/09/2025

Award duration: 3.5 years

Sponsor: NERC

Supervisor Hayley Fowler (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 and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

Home and 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. 

How to apply

To apply, plesae 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 and rationale for your choice of project)
• The studentship code FLOOD252 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 and stating your research interests

In your application you will also need:

• The name 2 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 details: hayley.fowler@newcastle.ac.uk

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