Overview
Sand is the world’s most used resource after water and intensive extraction is reshaping major rivers and deltas. This PhD will quantify how sand mining alters globally relevant river channels, sediment transport, and flood risk, delivering evidence to guide sustainable river management and climate resilience.
Based at Loughborough University with collaboration from Newcastle University, you’ll be supervised by Professor Dan Parsons, Professor Dapeng Yu (Loughborough and Previsico), Dr Quan Le (Loughborough) and Dr Chris Hackney (Newcastle). Working within the FLOOD-CDT, you’ll combine satellite remote sensing (e.g., PlanetScope, Sentinel-1), advanced numerical modelling (HEC-RAS, Delft-FM), and targeted field surveys to map mining intensity, simulate channel adjustment, and assess changing flood hazards under multiple environmental and socio-economic scenarios.
You’ll develop sought-after skills in geospatial analysis, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, machine learning-assisted detection, and hydro-geomorphological field methods. The project is embedded in an applied setting through collaboration with Previsico and international partners, ensuring pathways to real-world impact for policy, infrastructure risk, and community resilience across vulnerable deltas.
We welcome applicants with quantitative aptitude and curiosity about rivers, hazards, and sustainability (training provided in GIS, coding, and modelling). Join a supportive, interdisciplinary team and a sector-connected CDT to produce actionable science on one of the most urgent, yet solvable, human impacts on rivers.
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. EU and overseas applicants should achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each competency.
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
The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to international candidates, but successful international candidates will have the difference between the UK and international tuition fees provided by the University.
How to Apply
All applications should be made online via the above Apply button. Under programme name, select ‘School of Social Sciences and Humanities’. Please quote the advertised reference number, ‘FCDT-26-LU2’, 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 seen on the FLOOD-CDT website.
Please note that your application will be assessed upon:
* Motivation and career aspirations
* Potential and intellectual excellence
* Suitability for specific project
* Fit to FLOOD-CDT
Please familiarise yourselves with FLOOD-CDT before applying.
During the application process candidates will need to upload:
* a one-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)
* a IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable
You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss specific aspects of the proposed project prior to submitting your application. If you have any general questions, please contact via email.
£20,780 per annum
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