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PhD Studentship: Quantifying Compounding and Cascading Physical Climate Risk to UK Infrastructure University of Exeter in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
Available
Deadline
Dec 8, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Exeter
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About this position
PhD Studentship at the University of Exeter on quantifying compounding and cascading physical climate risk to UK infrastructure.
This project addresses a major gap in current climate-risk assessment: many studies treat hazards such as flooding, heat, drought, and storms separately, and often focus on one asset class at a time. Here, the PhD will develop a more realistic framework for the UK by modelling how hazards compound and how impacts cascade across interdependent infrastructure systems. The research will begin with rigorous hazard-damage modelling for a single infrastructure sector, then expand to analyse cross-system pathways such as flooding disrupting power, which in turn affects water treatment and transport. The final stage translates physical risk into economic loss estimates relevant to investors, insurers, and policymakers.
The student will use probabilistic UK climate projections (UKCP18) together with infrastructure network data to build the analysis from the ground up. The project offers training across climate science, infrastructure risk engineering, network analysis, and economic risk quantification, making it well suited to applicants interested in interdisciplinary research at the interface of engineering and climate adaptation.
There is also an applied dimension: the student will have opportunities to engage with real-world users of climate risk assessments in finance, insurance, and government. This makes the studentship attractive for candidates who want their research to have direct policy and industry relevance.
Funding: The studentship provides fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7, and is funded by EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
Eligibility and application: The post is a PhD studentship. The advert highlights interest in climate science, infrastructure risk engineering, network analysis, and economic risk quantification; no further formal entry requirements are stated in the text provided. The application deadline is 8 December 2026. Applicants should use the University of Exeter application/funding link to apply.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants should be interested in climate science, infrastructure risk engineering, network analysis, and economic risk quantification. The project uses probabilistic UK climate projections (UKCP18) and infrastructure network data, so relevant quantitative and analytical skills are preferred. No specific degree classification, language test, or other formal entry requirement is stated in the post.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Exeter funding/application page using the provided link. Prepare the application materials requested on the page and submit before 2026-12-08. Check the University of Exeter studentship listing for any additional documents or eligibility details.
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