About the Project
About the Partnership
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science.
For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:
- An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £18,622 p.a. for 2023-24) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
- Payment of university tuition fee;
- A research budget of £11,000 for an international conference, lab, field and research expenses;
- A training budget of £3,250 for specialist training courses and expenses
Project details
Project Background
Landslides are one of India’s most deadly natural hazards (i.e., 17 per cent of the Indian landmass is affected by landslides), killing hundreds of people every year and leading to severe economic losses. There are high levels of interannual variation in the occurrence of landslides, though recent research demonstrates that landslide occurrence triggered by human activity is increasing (Froude and Petley, 2018). Early warning of slope instability and landslides is therefore increasingly needed to mitigate landslide impacts.
Previous landslide studies in India have tended to focus on the geological hazard without holistically considering the meteorological events leading to the disaster, despite rainfall being the most common trigger of past landslides (Dikshit et al., 2020). Recent advances in high-resolution weather forecasting and the use of ensembles have led to significant improvements in severe weather prediction (e.g. Kolusu et. al, 2023), especially in tropical regions where convective permitting models lend skill to simulating typical meteorological processes. This development represents a necessary step towards developing workable early warning systems, but key knowledge gaps remain, including details about the spatial and temporal distribution of past landslide events, and the antecedent weather conditions. This project builds on recent pioneering research at The University of Exeter on developing improved understanding of landslide triggers and impacts using satellite remote sensing observations (Abanco et al, 2021; Jones et al, 2021)
This multi-disciplinary project brings together researchers with expertise in remote sensing and machine learning (Dr. Steven Palmer, University of Exeter), Landslides and low-cost sensors (Dr Georgie Bennett, University of Exeter), Weather Impact expertise (Dr. Seshagirirao Kolusu, Met Office) and Tropical Meteorological/ NWP expertise (Dr. Caroline Bain, Met Office) to form the supervisory team.
Project Aims and Methods
In this project, the successful candidate will use data science approaches to analyse satellite observations to improve our knowledge of past landslide events. Statistical comparisons of this new landslide inventory will be made with rainfall and other meteorological events using both satellite and NWP data. Analysis of landslide parameters and antecedent weather conditions will be used to inform the development of impact-based weather warnings in India. The Met Office UM partnership with NCMRWF and WCSSP India project with IMD provide a unique opportunity to translate pioneering science into active services. It is anticipated that this research will contribute to the improvement of multi-hazard warnings to make them region specific – the longer-term ambition being that vulnerable areas are evacuated before a disaster occurs, thereby saving lives.
Candidate requirements
The project would suit a student with an undergraduate degree in the physical or geographical sciences with expertise in numerical and spatial analysis. It is expected that the candidate will implement a range of remote sensing techniques, and advanced geo-spatial data analyses. Previous experience with coding (e.g. Python) is desirable.
Project partners
This project represents an exciting new collaboration between The University of Exeter, the Met Office and Indian partners. Through the WCSSP India the Met Office and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) have formed a strong collaboration. This also includes links to the Indian National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Training
This project will include training from the supervisory team in remote sensing-based spatial analyses, numerical modelling and data science techniques. There is scope for research visits to partner organisations in India and to develop links with local stake holders. It is expected that the candidate will present project findings at a major scientific conference e.g. EGU.
Eligibility
NERC GW4+ DTP studentships are open to UK and Irish nationals who, if successful in their applications, will receive a full studentship including payment of university tuition fees at the home fees rate.
A limited number of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals. For further details please see the NERC GW4+ website.
Those not meeting the nationality and residency requirements to be treated as a ‘home’ student may apply for a limited number of full studentships for international students. Although international students are usually charged a higher tuition fee rate than ‘home’ students, those international students offered a NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership full studentship starting in 2023 will only be charged the ‘home’ tuition fee rate (which will be covered by the studentship).
International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. More information on this is available from the universities you are applying to (contact details are provided in the project description that you are interested in.
For full information and how to apply please use this link – Award details | Funding and scholarships for students | University of Exeter
Funding Notes
NERC GW4+ funded studentship available for September 2024 entry. For eligible students, the studentship will provide funding of fees and a stipend which is currently £18,622 per annum for 2023-24.
