David Connolly

PhD opportunity at the University of Leeds in Satellite Monitoring of Geotechnical Stability (PGR-P-1277). This project sits in Civil Engineering and focuses on using satellite monitoring , Earth Observation , remote sensing , Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) , InSAR , multispectral imaging, GIS, AI, and data fusion to monitor slopes, earthworks, subsidence, coastal zones, sea defences, and landslide precursors. The research theme explores how spaceborne data can detect millimetric ground deformation, soil moisture anomalies, vegetation changes, shoreline retreat, and regional subsidence caused by groundwater extraction. It is aimed at predictive asset management and geohazard risk tracking across vulnerable landscapes. Supervisor: Professor David Connolly, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds. Funding: non-funded. Applicants are expected to be self-funded or to secure external funding. Eligibility: suitable for applicants from Civil/Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, Earth Sciences, Remote Sensing, Geomatics, GIS, Computer Science/Data Analytics, Environmental Science, or Applied Mathematics. A strong undergraduate degree is normally required; some applicants may also need a Masters. International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirement (IELTS 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent). Deadline: Friday 30 April 2027. Start date: 1 October 2027. How to apply: submit a formal research degree application through the University of Leeds website, choose Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate, select PHD Civil Engineering FT, and state the project title plus Professor David Connolly as proposed supervisor. The university recommends contacting the supervisor informally before applying.

PhD opportunity at the University of Leeds in Climate Resilience of Infrastructure to Rainfall (PGR-P-1395), supervised by Professor David Connolly in the School of Civil Engineering . This project focuses on how climate change-driven rainfall affects transport, geotechnical, and structural infrastructure. Research themes include rainfall-induced slope collapse, geotechnical instability, soil shrink-swell cycles, water ponding on roofs and bridge decks, structural overloading, drainage, and adaptive design for resilient infrastructure. Possible methods include finite element and numerical modelling, computational fluid dynamics, laboratory testing, field monitoring, GIS/spatial analysis, and statistical climate-risk forecasting. The project is flexible and can be adapted to the applicant’s interests and engineering background. This is a non-funded PhD . Applicants should be self-funded or have external sponsorship. International applicants are welcome, and English language evidence may be required (IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component or equivalent). Entry requirements normally include a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Earth Sciences, or Environmental Engineering. Apply through the University of Leeds research degree portal. Select the correct application type and course, set the start date to 1 October 2027, and clearly state the project title and proposed supervisor. Include a personal statement, transcripts, CV, and English language evidence if applicable. Applications are reviewed continuously, so early submission is encouraged.