PhD in Urban Gully Erosion, Environmental Science, and Remote Sensing University of Leuven in Belgium

A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) as part of the BELSPO STEREO IV HOMER project. The research focuses on unravelling the dynamics of urban gully expansion in Central Africa, a rapidly growing but often overlooked environmental hazard in tropical cities. The successful candidate will employ advanced remote sensing and modelling techniques to study urban gully erosion, with opportunities for fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The project is highly relevant for disaster risk reduction and urban planning, offering direct societal impact.

The position is based at KU Leuven’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with RMCA. Supervisors include Associate Professor Matthias Vanmaercke, Olivier Dewitte, and Antoine Dille. The research environment is interdisciplinary, combining expertise in environmental science, geography, earth science, and remote sensing.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in geography, environmental science, or a related field, with strong quantitative skills and a keen interest in remote sensing or modelling. Motivation for fieldwork in Central Africa and a passion for environmental hazards are important. The position is fully funded, though specific stipend details are not provided.

The application deadline is 20 January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the KU Leuven job site. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in environmental science, hazards, remote sensing, and contributing to sustainable urban development in tropical regions.