Daniel Parsons

This PhD project at Loughborough University, in collaboration with Newcastle University and the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT), investigates the global impacts of sand mining on river channel morphology and flood hazard. Sand is the world’s most extracted resource after water, and its intensive mining is reshaping major rivers and deltas, affecting sediment transport and increasing flood risk. The successful candidate will quantify these changes using a combination of satellite remote sensing (PlanetScope, Sentinel-1), advanced numerical modelling (HEC-RAS, Delft-FM), and targeted field surveys. The research aims to map mining intensity, simulate channel adjustment, and assess evolving flood hazards under diverse environmental and socio-economic scenarios. The project is highly interdisciplinary, offering training in geospatial analysis, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, machine learning-assisted detection, and hydro-geomorphological field methods. Collaboration with Previsico and international partners ensures the research is embedded in real-world applications, with direct relevance to policy, infrastructure risk, and community resilience in vulnerable deltas. Applicants should have a strong quantitative background and a keen interest in rivers, hazards, and sustainability. Training in GIS, coding, and modelling will be provided. The studentship is funded by UKRI through FLOOD-CDT, offering a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for 3.5 years plus UK tuition fees. International candidates are eligible, with the university covering the difference between UK and international tuition fees for successful applicants. The project is open to both UK and international students, with full-time (3.5 years) and part-time (7 years) options available. Applicants must hold or expect to obtain a very good undergraduate or master’s degree (at least UK 2:1 honours or equivalent) in a relevant subject, and EU/overseas applicants must meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each component). The application deadline is January 8, 2026, with a start date in October 2026. To apply, candidates should submit an online application via Loughborough University, selecting ‘School of Social Sciences and Humanities’ and quoting reference ‘FCDT-26-LU2’. Required documents include a one-page statement of research interests, CV, academic transcripts, degree certificates, and IELTS/TOEFL certificate if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to contact supervisors for project-specific queries prior to applying. For general questions, contact [email protected].

This PhD project, based at Loughborough University in the Department of Geography, investigates the complex interactions between wildfires and floods, two of the most destructive natural hazards, in the context of a changing climate. As climate change intensifies both hazards, the removal of vegetation and alteration of soils by fire can make landscapes more susceptible to debris flows and sediment surges during rainfall events. These processes can transform river systems, degrade water quality, and increase flood risk, posing significant challenges for water, land, and community management. The successful candidate will work with leading scientists from Loughborough University, the University of Southampton, and Colorado State University, as well as industry and government partners including Previsico Ltd. and the US Geological Survey. The research will combine fieldwork, remote sensing, and advanced modelling (using CAESAR-Lisflood) to quantify how burned landscapes respond to intense rainfall and enhanced sediment transport. The project offers the opportunity to develop expertise in geomorphology, hydrology, environmental data analysis, and climate resilience, contributing to both scientific understanding and practical solutions. The position is part of the FLOOD-CDT, a world-class doctoral training centre focused on interdisciplinary flood research and real-world collaboration. Funding is provided through a UKRI FLOOD-CDT studentship, offering a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for 3.5 years plus UK tuition fees, with additional support for international candidates. Applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant subject, meet English language requirements, and demonstrate motivation and intellectual excellence. The application process includes submitting a statement of research interests, CV, academic transcripts, and language certificates. The project is open to both UK and international candidates, with a closing date of 8th January 2026 and a start date in October 2026.