Cormac Reale

This PhD project, hosted at the University of Bath and funded through the GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership (DLTP), aims to advance the prediction of landslide runout and footprint, a critical challenge in earth science and civil engineering. Landslides are a major geohazard, reshaping landscapes and threatening communities worldwide, with their impacts expected to intensify due to climate change. The project will develop physics-informed, climate-aware models to predict landslide runout, integrating satellite imagery, digital elevation models, GIS datasets, and triggering factors such as extreme rainfall. Soil and rock properties, moisture regimes, and topographic controls will be incorporated to better constrain runout dynamics. The research will include case studies from the UK and selected international sites, ensuring real-world relevance and impact. Collaboration with the British Geological Survey (BGS) provides access to advanced data and facilities, including a state-of-the-art landslide laboratory and debris-flow flume for simulation. The student will receive comprehensive training in geohazard modelling and geospatial analysis from a multidisciplinary supervisory team. Key research questions include understanding the interactions between soil/rock properties, topography, and hydrology under changing climate conditions, evaluating the effectiveness of physics-guided machine learning versus empirical rules, and assessing how projected rainfall extremes will affect landslide probability and footprint. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a UK Honours degree (1st or 2.1) or international equivalent, and non-UK candidates must meet English language requirements. The GW4+ DLTP studentship covers tuition, a competitive stipend (£20,780 p/a in 2025/26), and generous research and travel allowances. International students are eligible, but funding does not cover visa or healthcare costs, and awards to international candidates are limited to 30% of the total. The University of Bath values diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from under-represented groups and supporting students with disabilities. The application deadline is January 8, 2026, and candidates must apply via the University of Bath’s online system, quoting the project title and supervisor, and submitting a personal statement using the GW4+ DLTP template.