Predicting future river response to changing flood risk in the UK

At least six million properties in the UK are at risk of flooding, with the floods in December 2015 causing inundation of 16,000 properties with insured losses across the UK of £1.3billion. And the situation may get worse.

The latest climate models are predicting up to a 30% increase in monthly rainfall in the UK which may generate a greater number of higher magnitude and more frequent floods. Although the destructive effects of flooding tend to be thought of in terms of the flood waters, large storm discharges are generally heavily laden with sediment.

Preliminary data suggests sediment flux is exacerbated if floods of large magnitude occur at high frequency, yet prediction of sediment transport through river channels still remains problematic, with predicted fluxes often being orders of magnitude different from observations.

This project is jointly supervised by the Universities of Brighton and Durham with industrial collaboration from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, Seattle (USA). The studentship will include, but is not limited to:

1. field work in the Yorkshire Dales on an upland gravel-bed river with documented flooding and sediment aggradation problems

2. laboratory experiments using the state-of-the-art flume facilities at Loughborough University to simulate bed response to increasing magnitude and frequency of flooding

3. application of a numerical model, in conjunction with the University of Durham, to predict the impact of future changes to flood characteristics on river stability

4. a visit to project collaborators in Seattle to develop best practice guidelines for stakeholders involved in river management.

This studentship has strong field and flume financial support that goes substantially beyond the EPSRC project support. EPSRC funding provides a tax-free stipend and fees for three years for home students and fees only for EU students. The student will join a growing cohort of graduates on the EPSRC Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) and the University Alliance Doctoral Training programme (DTA). The student will be based in Brighton but have blocks of time in the Dales, Loughborough and Durham for which there is extra subsistence support.


Academic entry requirements
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a masters degree, in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words.

English language entry requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who have obtained or are studying for a UK degree may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.0 in each component. If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship. The UK Home Office will not accept TOEFL tests as proof of meeting the English language requirements.

Eligibility
Applicants should refer to the EPSRC requirements to consider their residential status. This studentship is open to UK and EU applicants, with EU awards covering fees-only.