PhD Studentship: Giant fossil landslides: hidden hazards in dryland mountains

DoS: Professor Anne Mather (A.Mather@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Martin Stokes

3^rd Supervisor: Professor Sarah Boulton

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship.

The studentship will start on 01 October 2025

Project Description

Scientific Background

Giant (>several km²) and fossil (difficult-to-recognise pre-historic and ancient) bedrock landslides are understudied in continental settings. Dryland environments provide long-term archives of these ancient landslides due to low erosion rates and minimal vegetation cover. The current expansion of human activities in drylands, driven by economic pressures such as mining, alongside advances in remote sensing and data processing, presents a timely opportunity to expand our knowledge of these landslides. This is essential because 1) they can pose significant hazards if reactivated by activities such as construction or mining, and 2) their preserved landscapes may reveal causes of landslides in specific geologic settings. The project aims to:

• Develop methods for automated remote recognition of giant fossil landslides by identifying landscape features such as drainage anomalies, geology, and relief.
• Understand the causes and triggers of giant fossil landslides, including geology, climate, and seismic activity.
• Assess giant fossil landslide hazards considering environmental changes and human influences, especially landslide reactivation risks.

Research Methodology

The PhD will focus on two arid, mountainous regions: the Central Andean (Peru/Chile) and High Atlas (Morocco) Mountains. Using existing landslide databases, supervisor expertise, satellite imagery, and GIS, the student will map giant fossil landslide distributions. Fieldwork will support this analysis by providing on-ground verification of geomorphological settings and landslide structures in selected sites. This data will help define landscape characteristics that enable automated giant fossil landslide recognition, such as drainage patterns and rock types.

Training

The PhD candidate will become a leading landslide hazard scientist with expertise in remote sensing, geomaterials, geomorphology, and terrain evaluation, skills highly valued by environmental agencies and consultancies. Specialist training in fieldwork, geochronology, and modelling, supported by the University of Plymouth, will be complemented by generic (e.g. health and safety, data management, science communication) research training via the ARIES/Plymouth doctoral training colleges. The student will engage with international landslide science networks (e.g. World Landslide Forum).

Person Specification

Ideal candidates will hold degrees in Geology, Earth Science, Physical Geography, Environmental Science (or similar). Experience with GIS and/or landslide contexts desirable. Willingness to conduct fieldwork in remote, arid regions is an asset.

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.

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