[100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs provided. Full studentship for home and international applicants.] This fully funded PhD studentship at Newcastle University investigates how the superficial geology of Gateshead and Newcastle influences groundwater flood risk and water contamination. The North East of England, with its extensive coal mining heritage, faces rising groundwater levels due to the cessation of mine water pumping and climate-driven changes in rainfall. These changes have led to significant flood risks for homes, businesses, and infrastructure, as seen in recent flooding events such as those at Kibblesworth and the Metrocentre Retail Park. The project will focus on the region’s complex subsurface geology, particularly the Quaternary sediments deposited by the last British Ice Sheet. These range from permeable glaciofluvial materials to impermeable clays and tills, and their heterogeneity and connectivity play a crucial role in groundwater movement and flood potential. Flooded abandoned mines further complicate the subsurface, creating unexpected pathways for groundwater to reach the surface and increasing the risk of both flooding and water pollution. The successful candidate will work closely with the British Geological Survey, Gateshead Council, Project Groundwater Northumbria, and the Mining Remediation Authority. The research will involve developing a conceptual understanding of the region’s geology, constructing hydrogeological models, and identifying areas of groundwater recharge, routing, discharge, and contaminant concentration. The outcomes will inform flood risk management and environmental protection strategies for the region. The studentship covers 100% of tuition fees and provides a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), with additional project costs supported. Both home and international applicants (including EU) are eligible for the full studentship. Applicants should have or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, and must demonstrate enthusiasm for research, independence, analytical ability, and strong communication skills. Non-native English speakers require an IELTS score of 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all sub-skills), and international applicants may need ATAS clearance. The project is supervised by Professor Bethan Davies at Newcastle University. For more information, prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the webinar on November 26th and to contact Prof Davies directly. The application deadline is January 8, 2026, and the studentship will commence on October 1, 2026. For application details and to apply, visit the Newcastle University funding portal.

This fully funded PhD studentship at Newcastle University, supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), investigates how the superficial geology of Gateshead and Newcastle influences groundwater flood risk and water contamination. The North East of England is characterized by a legacy of coal mining, with numerous abandoned and flooded mine seams. Groundwater levels in the region are at record highs, rising due to the cessation of mine water pumping and climate-driven changes in rainfall, which pose significant flood risks to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Notably, the winter of 2015/2016 saw mine water flooding in Gateshead, affecting residential and commercial areas such as the Metrocentre Retail Park. The region’s complex subsurface geology, particularly the Quaternary sediments deposited by the last British Ice Sheet, plays a crucial role in groundwater movement and flood potential. These sediments range from permeable glaciofluvial materials to impermeable lacustrine clays and glacial tills, and flooded mines can create unexpected pathways for groundwater to reach the surface. The project aims to develop a stronger conceptual understanding of the heterogeneity and connectivity of these sediments and the interface between bedrock and superficial deposits. This knowledge will inform hydrogeological models to identify groundwater recharge, routing, discharge, and potential contaminant concentration zones. The successful candidate will collaborate with the British Geological Survey, Gateshead Council, Project Groundwater Northumbria, and the Mining Remediation Authority. The studentship covers 100% of tuition fees and provides a minimum annual tax-free living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), with additional project costs supported. Applicants must hold or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, demonstrate enthusiasm for research, independence, analytical ability, and strong communication skills. Both home and international applicants are eligible, with full studentship support available. Non-native English speakers require an IELTS score of 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all sub-skills), and international applicants may need ATAS clearance. The application deadline is January 8, 2026, and the studentship will commence on October 1, 2026. For more information, a prospective applicant webinar is available via the provided link.

[100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs provided. Full studentship for home and international applicants.] This fully funded PhD studentship at Newcastle University investigates how the superficial geology of Gateshead and Newcastle influences groundwater flood risk and water contamination. The North East of England is characterized by a rich coal mining heritage, with numerous abandoned and flooded mine seams. Recent years have seen groundwater levels reach record highs, driven by the cessation of mine water pumping and climate change-induced rainfall patterns, resulting in significant flood risks to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Notable incidents, such as the 2015/2016 mine water flooding at Kibblesworth, have highlighted the vulnerability of the region to groundwater-related hazards. The project focuses on the complex subsurface geology, particularly the Quaternary sediments deposited by the last British Ice Sheet, which range from permeable glaciofluvial materials to impermeable lacustrine clays and glacial tills. These superficial deposits, along with flooded mines, create unpredictable pathways for groundwater, affecting both flood potential and contaminant transport. The research aims to develop a stronger conceptual understanding of the heterogeneity and connectivity of these sediments, as well as the interface between bedrock and superficial deposits. By integrating geological datasets and hydrogeological models, the project will identify key areas of groundwater recharge, routing, discharge, and contaminant concentration. Collaboration with the British Geological Survey, Gateshead Council, Project Groundwater Northumbria, and the Mining Remediation Authority will provide practical insights and data. The studentship covers 100% of tuition fees and provides a minimum annual tax-free living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), with additional project costs supported. The position is open to both home and international applicants, who will receive a full studentship if successful. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, and demonstrate enthusiasm for research, independence, analytical ability, and strong communication skills. Non-native English speakers require an IELTS score of 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all sub-skills), and international applicants may need ATAS clearance. The award duration is 3.5 years, starting October 2026, with the application deadline on 8th January 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend a prospective applicant webinar and contact Prof Bethan Davies for further information.