This opportunity will close as soon as a suitable candidate has been found and so early applications are encouraged.
This PhD project aims at developing the novel understanding necessary to protect coastal infrastructures and coastal communities through widespread adoption of Engineering with Nature (including the creation of salt marshes, seagrass beds, beach nourishment and mega-nourishment). The PhD project will use a novel combination of remote sensing, machine learning and computer models to provide design criteria for coastal protection using Engineering with Nature and knowledge necessary for the choice of the most durable and efficient coastal management type and location.
Currently, 41% of power stations, 17.9% of railway track, 14.3% of railway stations, 33% of wastewater treatment and half a million properties are at risk of coastal flooding. Hard engineering solutions such as seawalls are becoming economically unviable due to the high costs of construction, maintenance and adaptation to changes in sea level and storms.
For this reason, there is a growing interest in engineering with nature (including the creation of salt marshes, seagrass beds, beach nourishment and mega-nourishment) which offers a more economically viable alternative and also support net Zero-Carbon emissions and local amenities value. However, despite the growing recognition of the necessity to move towards this greener alternative for coastal protection, there is little to no guidance on the implementation of engineering with nature. There are no quantitative and process-based decision-making tools and guidelines to aid engineers, planners, and governments to select coastal management strategies fit for their unique local environment.
About the applicant
Applicants should have strong mathematical and computer skills and willingness to engage with that. Suitable academic backgrounds include Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Geography, or relevant discipline.
For enquiries please provide a CV and brief cover letter to Dr Leonardi: [Email Address Removed]