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Dr C Onof
Prof Adrian Butler
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Scale dependent behaviour is observed in many components of the hydrological cycle. For example, analyses of rainfall time-series at a range of scales, from a few minutes to several days, have suggested the presence of scaling features. Scaling behaviour is also observed in river flows and groundwater levels. However, the controls on these properties and how they are modified as water moves through the hydrological cycle are not understood. Furthermore, it is not clear whether hydrological models are able to reproduce such transformations in scaling behaviour. These scaling features can be analysed in a number of ways, one of which is wavelet analysis. The aim of the project is to use this and other tools to explore fractal dimensions and/or functions (spectrum of singularities), which represent invariant quantities over a range of scales, while also identifying where eventual scale breaks are located. In this analysis, it will eventually be useful to distinguish between types of precipitation (convective, frontal), and possibly weather types, to get better estimates of these scaling features. The impacts of the systems on other hydrological states will be explored using detailed soil moisture, groundwater levels and river flow data in permeable catchments. Applicants should have a strong background in mathematics and/or statistics and computer programming.
Funding Notes
NERC or EPSRC funding is available to provide PhD scholarships for suitably qualified eligible UK residents and EU citizens. Rules for funding eligibility can be found on the NERC (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/ ) and EPSRC (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/Pages/default.aspx ) websites.
If you are interested in this studentship please send a covering email and CV to the relevant supervisor.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 16 APRIL WILL BE CONSIDERED, THEREAFTER APPLICATIONS WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL A SUITABLE CANDIDATE IS FOUND.
If you are interested in this studentship please send a covering email and CV to the relevant supervisor.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 16 APRIL WILL BE CONSIDERED, THEREAFTER APPLICATIONS WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL A SUITABLE CANDIDATE IS FOUND.
Project supervisors
Career overview
Dr Christian Onof completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Engineering in Paris and Hanover. He undertook his PhD research at Imperial College London and began his academic career as a lecturer in 1994. His primary research area focuses on the stochastic modelling of rainfall fields for hydrological simulation and flood design, particularly at fine time-scales. Dr Onof has developed downscaling tools to assess the impact of climate change on hydrological variables and has recently explored the use of statistical and machine learning tools for forecasting convective rainfall. In addition to his research, Dr Onof has supervised several PhD students and his teaching emphasises Systems Engineering and Mathematical Modelling techniques. He has initiated new lecture courses in Statistics (MEng Year II), Operational Research (MEng Year IV), and Stochastic Hydrology (MSc). Dr Onof has lectured on over a dozen undergraduate papers and has taught a course in optimisation at the Ecole de Ponts Paris Tech as part of the European Athens Network. Dr Onof served as Course Director for an MSc course in Systems Engineering and Innovation and has been actively involved in promoting student exchange programmes between Imperial College London and various European universities. He has played a key role in establishing new exchange agreements with institutions such as the universities of Melbourne, Hong Kong PolyU, Barcelona, Queensland, and California.
Research interests
Dr Onof''s research primarily focuses on the stochastic modelling of rainfall fields aimed at hydrological simulation and flood design, particularly emphasising fine time-scales. He has developed downscaling tools to evaluate the impact of climate change on hydrological variables. Recently, he has been exploring the application of statistical and machine learning techniques for forecasting convective rainfall.
Stochastic Modelling
Rainfall Fields
Hydrological Simulation
Flood Design
Climate Change
Downscaling Tools
Statistical Tools
Machine Learning
Convective Rainfall
Systems Engineering
Mathematical Modelling
Statistics
Operational Research
Stochastic Hydrology
Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering
Physical Geography
Atmospheric Sciences
Psychology
Career overview
Adrian Butler is a Professor of Subsurface Hydrology in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London. He is responsible for lecturing on groundwater flow and contaminant transport to both undergraduate and master''s degree students, and serves as the Course Director for the Hydrology and Water Resources Management MSc course. His research primarily focuses on measuring, analysing, and modelling subsurface flow and transport processes and their environmental impacts. He has a particular interest in the Chalk of Southern England and has collaborated with the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) Wallingford on research related to recharge processes, groundwater flow, and contaminant transport, utilising various geophysical and modelling techniques. Professor Butler is also concerned with the challenges of groundwater resource development in the context of climate change, such as the impacts on groundwater abstraction from the High Plains aquifer in the USA for irrigation purposes. Additionally, he has been working with colleagues from the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Medicine on the health impacts of water salinity in Bangladesh. He participates in a joint project with Queen’s University Belfast (SALINA) that investigates new methods for managing saline intrusion in coastal aquifers. Furthermore, he is the Principal Investigator on a significant project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) titled Community Water Management for a Liveable London (CAMELLIA), which aims to bring together experts from environmental science, engineering, urban planning, and socio-economics, along with governmental and planning authorities, industry, developers, and citizens, to co-develop sustainable solutions for housing growth in London while managing its water resources and environment.
Research interests
Professor Butler''s research is primarily focused on measuring, analysing, and modelling subsurface flow and transport processes and their associated environmental impacts. He has a particular interest in the Chalk of Southern England and has conducted research on recharge processes, groundwater flow, and contaminant transport using a variety of geophysical and modelling techniques, often in collaboration with the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) Wallingford. Additionally, he explores the challenges of groundwater resource development in the context of climate change, including the impacts on groundwater abstraction from the High Plains aquifer in the USA for irrigation purposes. Professor Butler is also interested in water resources and health issues in developing countries, working with colleagues from the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Medicine to study the effects of water salinity on health in Bangladesh. Furthermore, he is involved in a joint project with Queen’s University Belfast (SALINA) that investigates new methods for managing saline intrusion in coastal aquifers. He serves as the Principal Investigator on a major project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) titled Community Water Management for a Liveable London (CAMELLIA), which aims to bring together experts from various fields, including environmental science, engineering, urban planning, and socio-economics, along with governmental and planning authorities, industry, developers, and citizens to co-develop sustainable solutions for housing growth in London while managing its water and environmental resources responsibly.
Subsurface Hydrology
Groundwater Flow
Contaminant Transport
Environmental Impact
Recharge Processes
Geophysical Techniques
Modelling Techniques
Groundwater Resource Development
Climate Change
Water Resources
Health
Developing Countries
Water Salinity
Saline Intrusion
Coastal Aquifers
Community Water Management
Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering
Physical Geography
Geology
Geophysics.
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