PhD Studentship: NERC Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Quantifying Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) hazard and risk in Bhutan

Award Summary

100% of Home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate), plus research project costs. 

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/ 

This project aims to quantify hazard and risk from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Bhutan. This will be achieved by i) developing low-cost, near-real time sensors for monitoring GLOFs and their potential triggers; ii) modelling potential flood pathways, to inform sensor locations and; iii) in-person surveys, to explore the needs and behaviours of at-risk downstream populations. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

15th September 2025

Award Duration

3.5 years

Application Closing Date

8th January 2025 

Sponsor

Natural Environment Research Council 

Supervisors

Professor Rachel Carr 

Professor Stuart Dunning 

Dr Matt Perks 

Dr Seb Pitman 

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree and a Master’s degree, or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (inc. Geography, environmental science 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 7 overall with a minimum of 6.5 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: 8201F  
• leave the ‘Research Area’ field blank 
• Select PhD Physical Geography (full time) as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section: 

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (your research interests in flooding and rationale for your choice of project) 
• The studentship code FLOOD257 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: 

• A curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests 

In your application you will also need: 

• 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 

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. 

Contact Details

[email protected]  

If you have any general questions, please contact [email protected]. 

We also encourage you to contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project before you apply.