PhD Studentship: Predicting Flood Impacts in Dynamic Rivers

Flooding has the greatest socio-economic impact of all natural hazards and is expected to worsen due to anthropogenic climate change and population growth in flood-prone areas. In dynamic geomorphic environments (often in the global south), rivers migrate rapidly, reshaping floodplain topography, and driving changes in flood conveyance capacity. However, existing flood risk projections in such environments use flood models that treat rivers and floodplains as static landscape features. We invite PhD applications to investigate how dynamic rivers build evolving floodplain landscapes, generate changing risk scenarios, and impact floodplain populations.

Methods and Training: Project supervisors (Rolf Aalto, Andrew Nicholas, Jeff Neal) will provide a stimulating research environment for investigating dynamic river flood risk within which a student can develop an individual project supported by training in field and remote sensing data analysis, numerical modelling, and machine learning. The project combines Exeter’s strength in modelling and monitoring river evolution (e.g., Brückner et al., 2026, Science Advances; Brückner et al., 2025, Geology) with Bristol’s expertise in flood modelling, remote sensing and hazard exposure (e.g., Neal et al., 2026, Water Resources Research). The supervisors have collaborated for c. 5 years, including ongoing projects (NE/S015612/1, UKRI4333). The student will work alongside a team of researchers in river dynamics and population vulnerability to connect fundamental river science with assessments of floodplain habitability and river management.

Researcher influence: The researcher will determine: study locations (globally); morphodynamic focus (mechanisms/styles of river evolution); methodological focus (e.g., modelling, remote sensing, machine learning); optional inclusion of field work within project. For example, PhD research could combine several approaches to investigate how dynamic rivers respond to changing climate, sediment supply, and human intervention. Ultimately, the PhD will be developed jointly with the student, utilizing data and methods available through the team’s research on global river systems.

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