[Fully-funded ARIES studentship for 3.5 years, including tuition fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26, 2026/27 rate TBC), and research costs.]

This fully-funded PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth investigates the role of climate and tectonics in correlated and path dependent landsliding. The project addresses fundamental questions about where landslides initiate following extreme events and the influence of pre-existing failures, challenging traditional assumptions through the use of multi-temporal landslide inventories. Recent research has revealed spatial and temporal clustering of landslides, often triggered by earthquakes or intense rainfall, and demonstrated that landsliding rates and patterns change over time, increasing the probability of subsequent failures. These processes are not currently accounted for in most hazard models, and landscape-scale studies of recurring landslides remain limited due to terminological inconsistencies and a focus on individual complexes.

With the increasing availability of high-resolution satellite imagery, this project leverages new opportunities to create detailed, large-scale, multi-temporal inventories. The research will explore how landscape characteristics, climate, and extreme events influence whether new landslides rework previously disturbed terrain, initiate in undisturbed areas, or expand from landslipped zones into adjacent stable regions. The findings will contribute to improved hazard modelling and mitigation strategies in vulnerable regions worldwide.

The successful candidate will combine existing landslide inventories with new remote sensing observations to build multi-year databases of landslide occurrences and control factors such as slope, aspect, and soil thickness. Contrasting areas of recurrent landsliding will be identified for further investigation, including fieldwork and modelling to understand the landscape-scale expression and processes causing consecutive landslides.

Training will be provided in remote sensing and GIS, field geomorphic techniques (including geomorphic mapping, TruPulse, DGPS/drone surveys), engineering geology methodologies (slope stability, rock strength assessment), coding (python/matlab data analysis and modelling), and transferable research skills. The student will join a team of international experts, including Professor Sarah Boulton (Director of Studies), Dr Martin Stokes, Dr Michael Whitworth (AECOM), and Dr Joshua Jones (AECOM).

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in a geoscience discipline or a relevant Masters qualification, and be confident in undertaking fieldwork and integrating data across geological disciplines. Prior experience in GIS, remote sensing, or programming is desirable. Non-native English speakers must meet the minimum English requirements (IELTS Academic score of 6.5, with no less than 5.5 in each component).

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes a stipend of £20,780 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 UKRI rate TBC), full tuition fees, and research costs. The project is part of the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership. The application deadline is 7 January 2026, and the studentship will commence on 1 October 2026.

For informal enquiries, contact Professor Sarah Boulton at [email protected]. For further information and to apply, visit the University of Plymouth ARIES Doctoral Training webpage.