At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct innovative research on landslide hazards using satellite data and geospatial analysis.
- Company: Join a leading research programme at Durham University focused on landslide risk management in New Zealand.
- Benefits: Receive full tuition fees, stipend, and support for fieldwork and academic development.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts in New Zealand and contribute to a national-scale research project.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on disaster risk reduction while gaining valuable research experience.
- Qualifications: Strong background in Physical Geography, Geology, or Engineering Geology with GIS and programming skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Landslides cause an average of 5,000 deaths annually worldwide, and in Aotearoa New Zealand, they have claimed more lives than earthquakes. Economically, aseismic landslides result in NZ$250-300 million in losses each year, with landslides during earthquakes leading to over NZ$1 billion in damage for a single event.
While landslide susceptibility modelling is an essential tool in risk management, current models only predict the potential for events rather than actual specific landslide occurrence. These models also struggle to directly quantify landslide hazards and to address key characteristics such as landslide movement style, runout, and how landslide hazards evolve over time.
This Ph.D. project will leverage the analysis of new time-series data from cloud-based satellite image archives alongside New Zealand's comprehensive landslide inventories to create innovative models of landslide behaviour. The research will combine field work, empirical modelling, and geospatial analysis, ultimately contributing to better hazard and risk assessments for decision-makers.
This PhD will be part of a broader five-year project funded through the MBIE Endeavor Research Programme, titled, “Hazard, risk and impact modelling for fast moving landslides: Hōretireti Whenua Sliding Lands”. This research programme seeks to plan for, invest smartly, and reduce risk from landslides. This project aims to create, for the first time, national scale models that characterise and quantify the risk from earthquake- and rainfall-induced landslides.
An extended and fully-funded placement in Year 4 of the Ph.D. will allow the integration of research findings into the broader Sliding Lands project.
Key research objectives include:
- Building a time-series data cube of landsliding across New Zealand using satellite imagery archives.
- Applying machine learning to New Zealand's landslide inventories to model landslide location, character and dynamics.
- Integrating time-series and inventory data to develop new models to predict location-specific landslide hazard.
The scholarship supports study towards a PhD in Physical Geography at Durham University, UK. The successful candidate must have either a strong training in a relevant subject such as Physical Geography, Geology, or Engineering Geology, with a numerical background in earth surface processes. Field experience and skills in GIS and programming skills are necessary.
The scholarship provides full UK domestic fees and stipend only, and will track UKRI studentship rates, in addition to fieldwork and wider academic development support. The successful candidate will be enrolled and based full-time in Geography at Durham University, and will work closely with colleagues in NZ involved in the Hōretireti Whenua Sliding Lands programme at GNS Science and University of Canterbury.
Interested candidates should contact Professor Nick Rosser to discuss the project further and for details of how to apply: n.j.rosser@dur.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 25th June.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship - Modelling Landslide Hazard across Aotearoa New Zealand in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and methodologies in landslide hazard modelling. This will not only help you understand the project better but also allow you to engage in informed discussions with Professor Nick Rosser, showcasing your genuine interest and knowledge.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of Physical Geography, Geology, or Engineering Geology. Attend relevant conferences or webinars where you can meet experts and potentially gain insights that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your GIS and programming skills, as these are essential for the role. Consider taking online courses or working on personal projects that demonstrate your ability to handle data analysis and modelling.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare thoughtful questions for your discussion with Professor Rosser. This shows your enthusiasm for the project and helps you stand out as a candidate who is proactive and engaged.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship - Modelling Landslide Hazard across Aotearoa New Zealand in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project:Familiarise yourself with the PhD project details, including its objectives and methodologies. This will help you tailor your application to demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with the project's goals.
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any relevant academic background in Physical Geography, Geology, or Engineering Geology. Include specific examples of your numerical skills, field experience, and proficiency in GIS and programming.
Craft a Strong Statement of Purpose:Write a compelling statement of purpose that outlines your motivation for applying, your research interests, and how they relate to the project. Be sure to mention any previous research or projects that showcase your capabilities.
Contact the Supervisor:Reach out to Professor Nick Rosser to discuss the project further. This shows your genuine interest and allows you to gather insights that can strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University
✨Understand the Project Scope
Familiarise yourself with the key research objectives of the PhD project. Be prepared to discuss how your background in Physical Geography, Geology, or Engineering Geology aligns with the goals of modelling landslide hazards and how you can contribute to the innovative approaches being proposed.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your experience with GIS, programming, and machine learning during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of past projects where you've applied these skills, especially in relation to earth surface processes or hazard modelling.
✨Demonstrate Field Experience
If you have fieldwork experience, make sure to discuss it. Explain how your hands-on experience can enhance your understanding of landslide dynamics and contribute to the research objectives of the project.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Prepare thoughtful questions for Professor Nick Rosser and other interviewers about the project and its implications. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how you can fit into the broader research programme.
