PhD Position: Modelling Slope Stability under Climate Change Scenarios Kingston University in United Kingdom

This PhD project at Kingston University investigates the impact of climate change on slope stability in the British Isles, focusing on the potential for increased landsliding due to higher winter rainfall and more frequent high-intensity rainfall events. The research will address two main questions: whether there is historical evidence of increased landsliding during the colder, wetter climate of the ‘Little Ice Age’, and whether similar climatically-driven increases in landslide events can be expected in the future as weather patterns change.

The successful candidate will develop a modelling framework to explore the implications of climate change on slope stability and associated hazards over the coming decades. The project is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on civil engineering, earth sciences, environmental science, and physical geography. It is ideally suited for students with a strong background in these areas and experience in computer modelling.

Funding for this position is available through the Kingston University Graduate School studentships competition for October 2026 entry. Details about the studentships and application procedures can be found on the university's research and faculty webpages. The project is supervised by Dr A P Dykes, an expert in slope stability and environmental hazards.

Applicants should have a good first degree in Earth Sciences, Geography, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline, with ideally some prior experience in computer modelling. The application deadline is March 4, 2026. Interested candidates should consult the Graduate School Studentships information and the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment research pages for further details and application instructions.