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: https://flood-cdt.ac.uk/
The Environment Agency operates ~78,000 flood and coast defence assets in England with a value of £26bn. This includes 7,000 km of linear river and coast defences (flood walls, embankments, channels and culverts). Proactive maintenance of this vast network is increasingly difficult and costly due to deterioration under the pressures of environmental change.
Near-surface geophysical methods provide a non-invasive and comparatively rapid approach to ground investigation (GI) by imaging the subsurface. Localised geophysical characterisation and monitoring have proven highly effective in identifying areas of vulnerability in engineered earthworks (Holmes et al., 2022, Boyd et al., 2024). These studies suggest that intrusive GI and remedial work are best targeted using the outputs from geophysical and geodetic surveys. Furthermore, combining different data sources (geodetic, geotechnical, geophysical) with long-term monitoring significantly increases the understanding of an asset and reduces the uncertainty about its current condition (White et al., 2024).
This project will attempt to translate our understanding at the local asset scale to larger network scales. It will investigate optimal strategies of combining rapid screening of defences at the catchment scale with targeted localised non-invasive investigation, making use of novel geophysical methodologies (mobile sensor arrays, UAVs and advanced 3D imaging techniques) and geotechnical sampling.
Number Of Awards
1
Start Date
15th September 2025
Award Duration
3.5 years
Application Closing Date
Wednesday 8th January 2025
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council
Supervisors
Mihai Cimpoiasu (British Geological Survey) and Ross Stirling (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
You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal
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 FLOOD258 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 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.
Contact Details
Mihai Cimpoiasu – mcim@bgs.ac.uk
