Fully Funded PhD in Soil-Water Interactions, Data Assimilation, and Exascale Computing for Flood and Drought Risk

A fully funded PhD opportunity is available at The University of Edinburgh, supervised by Prof. Lindsay Beevers and Prof. Jessica Davies. The project explores how advanced data assimilation techniques and exascale/GPU computing can transform our understanding of soil–water interactions and their role in flood and drought risks. This interdisciplinary research sits at the interface of hydrology, soil science, remote sensing, environmental data science, and high-performance computing. Applicants with backgrounds in environmental science and engineering, hydrology, geography, soil science, environmental modelling, computer science, data science, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. The project is part of the ExaGEO DLA initiative, which equips students with skills in exascale computing, geoscience, statistics, and computational engineering to address major challenges in Earth and environmental sciences. Students will benefit from a multidisciplinary supervisory team and industry placements, working on topics such as atmosphere, hydrosphere, geodynamics, geologic hazard analysis, and sustainability solutions. The research will involve combining soil-water process-based models with remote sensing data and exascale computing to better understand and predict the risks and impacts of floods and droughts. Funding is provided via ExaGEO, covering tuition fees, a stipend, and a Research Training Support Grant. The application process requires candidates to apply for three projects, with further details and instructions available on the ExaGEO website. For specific project queries, applicants should contact the principal supervisor listed. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in interdisciplinary research, environmental modelling, and computational approaches to earth science challenges. The project offers a vibrant research environment, industry engagement, and comprehensive training in cutting-edge techniques.