PhD Studentship: Monitoring and managing the impacts of extreme sediment-rich flows in fluvial systems

DoS: Dr Matt Westoby (matt.westoby@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Professor Sarah Boulton (sarah.boulton@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor: Professor Will Blake (william.blake@plymouth.ac.uk)

4^th Supervisor: Professor Stuart Dunning, Newcastle University

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship.

The studentship will start on 01 October 2025

Project Description

Background:

Extreme sediment-rich flows, triggered by natural or man-made dam outbursts, landslides, and wildfires, cause major disruptions in river systems. Due to climate change, the frequency and magnitude of these events are expected to rise, as many triggers are climate-sensitive. These flows mobilise vast amounts of sediment, generating post-event pulses involving a variety of grain sizes. These pulses are challenging to identify, monitor, and model, complicating hazard management. This is especially critical for the hydropower sector, which is rapidly expanding into unstable, high-mountain regions.

Aims and Methods:

Project aims: (1) to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of sediment pulses triggered by extreme sediment-rich floods at catchment- to regional scales; (2) to explore how optimized decision-making in the hydropower sector can reduce the impacts of these events. To achieve aim (1), you will use Google Earth Engine to identify sediment pulses, analysing their timing, magnitude, and runout, while assessing the role of hydropower infrastructure in buffering or exacerbating pulse conveyance. Field-deployed turbidity sensors will calibrate and validate your observations, allowing you to apply methods at scale (e.g., mountain range fronts) and develop a new empirically informed, conceptual model of sediment-rich flow behaviours in such landscapes. In pursuit of aim (2), you will utilize open-source modelling tools with stochastic simulation functionality, like PySedSim, supported by data from your study catchment(s), to explore how hydropower sediment management strategies can be adapted to mitigate the impacts of sediment-rich flows while balancing the often-competing priorities of energy production, water quality, and hydro-geomorphic connectivity.

Person Specification and Training:

We encourage applicants from geoscience backgrounds and also numerate degrees (mathematics, physics, computer science) with limited/no exposure to the environmental sciences. Experience with geospatial methods including familiarity with, or an aptitude to learn, common programming languages, is desirable. You will be encouraged to attend discipline-specific external training courses, and those which focus on improving technical competencies. You will align with the NERC-funded SUPERSLUG project and will work within a diverse international team including other early career researchers. Inclusive fieldwork will be centred on the Indian Himalaya in the first instance, with opportunity to attend conferences and undertake external engagement.

For information on Eligibility and Funding, please click on the links below: 

• Eligibility 
• Funding

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.  

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and the studentship that you are applying for at the top of your personal statement. 

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.

The closing date for applications on 8^th January 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Advert information