PhD Studentship: A Web-based Platform for Large-scale Rapid Flood Risk Assessment

Flooding stands as the most prevalent natural hazard. However, whilst substantial research effort has been reported in the last decade to develop high-performance physics-based models for more accurate prediction of different types of flooding processes, these latest flood modelling technologies have not yet been fully leveraged to support practical flood risk management. Therefore, we aim to develop a user-friendly web-based platform that integrates Loughborough's in-house High-Performance Integrated hydrodynamic Modelling System (HiPIMS) with various high-quality open-source datasets covering exposure and vulnerability to buildings, infrastructure, and people.

This exciting PhD project aims to harness the latest developments in high-performance numerical models and data analytics technologies to address some of the key practical challenges in flood modelling and risk management, and finally achieve a web-based platform for large-scale rapid flood risk assessment to improve current practice. The project will deliver the following key research tasks:

• Develop a user-friendly graphical interface (GUI) based on the JavaScript library ReactJs, in which the HiPIMS can be completely set up, run, and analysed in a standard web browser. HiPIMS computations can be executed on local GPUs or through cloud-based GPU services, empowering users to conduct large-scale fast flood simulations without worrying about computational resources.
• Collect a variety of spatial datasets related to exposure and vulnerability and present them in a standardized format in the platform, enabling users to access and analyse the datasets easily and effectively.
• Streamline the object-based flood risk evaluation by seamlessly integrating HiPIMS hazard results with exposure and vulnerability datasets to assess flood impact and risk on individual buildings and objects.
• Demonstrate the platform for practical flood risk assessment in a selected case study site.

Entry requirements:

Applicants must already have, or expect to shortly graduate with, a very good undergraduate degree or Master’s degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree) – or an equivalent international qualification from a high ranking university – in a relevant
subject.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website

Funding information:

Studentship type – UKRI through Flood-CDT (flood-cdt.ac.uk)
The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship, plus university tuition fees at the UK rate.

How to apply:

All applications should be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button. Under programme name, select 'Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Flood Futures'. Please quote the advertised reference number: FCDT-25-LU8-2 in your application. This PhD is being advertised as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Further details about FLOOD-CDT can be found at https://flood-cdt.ac.uk. Please note that your application will be assessed upon: (1) Motivation and Career Aspirations; (2) Potential & Intellectual Excellence; (3) Suitability for specific project and (4) Fit to FLOOD-CDT. So please familiarise yourself with the FLOOD-CDT before applying. During the application process candidates will need to upload:

• A 1 page statement of your research interests in flooding and FLOOD-CDT and your rationale for your choice of project;
• A curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests;
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
• An IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable.

You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss project specific aspects of the proposed prior to submitting your application. For general questions please contact floodcdt@soton.ac.uk.

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