PhD vacancy in Assessing Urban Gully Erosion and its Impacts KU Leuven in Belgium

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography & Tourism at KU Leuven, Belgium, invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position focused on assessing urban gully erosion and its impacts in Central Africa. This opportunity is part of a collaborative research project with the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), specifically within the Earth surface processes and climate research group and the Natural Hazards Unit. The project is embedded in the BELSPO STEREO IV initiative “HOMER” (Geo-hydrological Hazards in the changing African trOpics: sediments, dynaMics and intERactions).

The successful candidate will monitor and model the expansion dynamics of urban gullies, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Urban gullies are a significant and growing hazard in tropical cities, often resulting from inadequate urban planning and infrastructure. The research will develop and apply advanced satellite remote sensing techniques to track gully expansion at high temporal resolution, analyze time series to identify rainfall thresholds, and build predictive models for gully occurrence and magnitude. The project also includes scenario analysis using current and future climate and land use data to assess both present and projected impacts of gully erosion. Field missions to the DRC are anticipated for contextual understanding and validation of remote sensing results.

Supervision will be provided by Prof. Matthias Vanmaercke (KU Leuven), Dr. Antoine Dille, and Dr. Olivier Dewitte (RMCA), all experts in geomorphic processes, geo-hydrological hazards, and remote sensing. The research group is interdisciplinary, combining fundamental and applied research with capacity building and long-term collaborations with African institutions. Office space will be available at KU Leuven’s Arenberg campus and the Royal Museum of Central Africa.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree in geography, bio-engineering, or a related environmental science discipline, with excellent academic records. A strong interest in quantitative research methods is essential, and experience with remote sensing, programming, geomorphic or geostatistical modelling is preferred. Familiarity with gully erosion, geo-hydrological hazards, hydrology, urban planning, or disaster impact assessment is advantageous. Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Dutch or French is a plus. Candidates must be willing to relocate to Belgium and participate in short fieldwork campaigns in the Global South. As part of the PhD, students will assist with teaching and supervise master’s theses.

The position offers a fully funded scholarship for one year, renewable up to four years upon positive evaluation. KU Leuven and RMCA provide a dynamic, inclusive, and interdisciplinary research environment. The expected start date is March 1, 2026 (negotiable). The application deadline is January 20, 2026.

To apply, submit your CV, academic records, motivation letter, and a letter of recommendation. Additionally, provide the reference and abstract of an inspiring academic work and a brief explanation of its relevance to this PhD project. Only pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview and will be asked to submit a three-page research proposal. For further information, contact Prof. Matthias Vanmaercke at [email protected].

KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. For questions about accessibility or support, assistance is available via the provided contact email.