PhD Studentship: Quantifying Sand Mining Impacts on River Channel Morphology and Flood Hazard Loughborough University in United Kingdom

[UKRI studentship through FLOOD-CDT for 3.5 years; tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus tuition fees at UK rate. International candidates may receive fee difference coverage; no more than 30% of studentships for internationals.]

Sand is the world’s most used resource after water, and its intensive extraction is reshaping major rivers and deltas globally. This fully funded PhD studentship at Loughborough University, in collaboration with Newcastle University and the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT), aims to quantify the impacts of sand mining on river channel morphology, sediment transport, and flood hazard. The project will deliver evidence to guide sustainable river management and climate resilience, addressing urgent environmental challenges.

Supervised by Professor Dan Parsons, Professor Dapeng Yu, Dr Quan Le (Loughborough), and Dr Chris Hackney (Newcastle), you will join a supportive, interdisciplinary team and benefit from sector connections through FLOOD-CDT and partners such as Previsico. The research will combine satellite remote sensing (PlanetScope, Sentinel-1), advanced numerical modelling (HEC-RAS, Delft-FM), and targeted field surveys to map mining intensity, simulate channel adjustment, and assess changing flood hazards under diverse environmental and socio-economic scenarios.

As a PhD student, you will develop highly sought-after skills in geospatial analysis, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, machine learning-assisted detection, and hydro-geomorphological field methods. The project is embedded in an applied setting, ensuring real-world impact for policy, infrastructure risk, and community resilience across vulnerable deltas. Training in GIS, coding, and modelling will be provided, and applicants with quantitative aptitude and curiosity about rivers, hazards, and sustainability are encouraged to apply.

Funding: The studentship is funded by UKRI through FLOOD-CDT for 3.5 years, offering a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. International candidates may receive coverage for the difference between UK and international tuition fees, but no more than 30% of studentships can be awarded to international applicants due to UKRI rules.

Eligibility: Applicants must have, or expect to obtain soon, a very good undergraduate or master’s degree (at least UK 2:1 honours or equivalent international qualification) in a relevant subject. EU and overseas applicants must achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each competency. All applicants must meet minimum English language requirements.

Application Process: Apply online via the provided link, selecting ‘School of Social Sciences and Humanities’ and quoting reference ‘FCDT-26-LU2’. You will need to upload a one-page statement of research interests, CV, academic transcripts, degree certificates, and IELTS/TOEFL certificate if applicable. It is recommended to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss the project before applying. The application deadline is 8 January 2025.

This PhD offers the opportunity to produce actionable science on one of the most urgent, yet solvable, human impacts on rivers, with pathways to real-world impact and career development in environmental science, geography, and earth science.