PhD Project: Hydro-economic Appraisal of Green Infrastructure for Urban Storm Water Management (GW4+ DLTP)

This PhD project, hosted at the University of Bath within the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, is part of the GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership (DLTP), a collaboration between Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Cardiff, and several research organisations. The research focuses on the hydro-economic appraisal of green infrastructure (GI) for urban stormwater management, investigating solutions such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs to mitigate stormwater runoff and flood risk in cities. The project integrates hydrological and hydraulic modelling with economic evaluation to assess both the technical performance and long-term value of GI interventions. Key scientific questions include understanding how GI modifies hydrological processes under different rainfall and climate scenarios, evaluating the economic costs and benefits including ecosystem services, and incorporating uncertainty from climate and land use change into decision-making frameworks. The doctoral researcher will have significant input into the research direction, including site selection, modelling approach refinement, and integration of hydrological outputs with cost-benefit analysis. Training will cover advanced hydrological and hydraulic modelling, GIS and spatial analysis, economic appraisal, and interdisciplinary research methods. Supervisors Dr. Thomas Kjeldsen (University of Bath) and Dr. James Webber (University of Exeter) provide expertise in hydrology and impact assessment, while project partners offer access to case studies, datasets, and practitioner perspectives. The project aims to generate actionable evidence for sustainable urban water management, bridging academic research and policy. Funding is available through the GW4+ DLTP studentship, covering tuition, a stipend (£20,780 p/a in 2025/26), and research expenses for 3.5 years. Both Home and International students are eligible, though international funding does not cover visa or healthcare costs, and awards for international candidates are limited to 30% of the total. Applicants must hold or be about to obtain a UK Honours degree (1st or 2.1) or international equivalent, and non-UK applicants must meet English language requirements. The application deadline is January 8, 2026. The University of Bath values diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups, with support available for applicants with disabilities.