About the project
This project explores coastal transformations along the south coast of England linked to the combined impacts of storms, waves, and rising sea levels. The south coast is highly vulnerable to climate change because of its exposure to powerful weather systems originating from the North Atlantic.
The North Atlantic region is densely populated and hosts important natural habitats and key infrastructure essential for economic activities, transportation, and energy security. Nuclear power facilities are an example of such infrastructure, as they are often located in coastal environments and face increasing risks of coastal flooding due to the growing frequency, intensity and duration of storms, which accelerate coastal erosion.
The project will investigate the use of new observations from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission with advanced coastal monitoring methodologies to detect coastal changes along the south coast of England during successive winter storms. SWOT provides unparalleled high-resolution images of coastal water levels, winds and sea state day-and-night in all-weather, including heavy cloud cover. By leveraging diverse spaceborne data, the research aims to demonstrate how effectively dynamic coastal processes can be observed from space and how satellite data could enhance risk reduction strategies for critical coastal infrastructure amid evolving climate challenges.
As well as Dr Charlie Thompson, you will also receive supervision from Professor Christine Gommenginger (lead supervisor) at the National Oceanographic Centre (NOC), Southampton.
Please contact the lead supervisor if you require further information about the project.
Potential supervisors
Lead supervisor
Dr Charlie Thompson
Associate Professor
Research interests
- Coastal Monitoring
- Coastal Processes
- Sediment Stability, Resuspension and Exchange processes
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or higher in a relevant subject.
You can also have its international equivalent.
International applications
If English is not your first language, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components.
Visit our English language proficiency pages to find out about other qualifications we accept.
Fees and funding
For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend of £15,285 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
- choose PhD in Ocean and Earth Science FLOOD CDT (full time)
- add the project title under ‘Topic or field of research proposed’
- add your supervisor in section 2
Applications should include:
- a 1 page statement of your research interests in flooding and FLOOD-CDT and your rationale for your choice of project
- a CV (resumé) giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests
- name two current academic referees together with institutional email addresses (on submission of your online application your referees will be automatically emailed requesting they send a reference to us directly by email)
- academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English) – if you have completed both a BSc and an MSc, we require both
- an IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable.
Contact us
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
If you have a general question, email our doctoral college: fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk.
Project leader
For project specific queries, email the lead supervisor Professor Christine Gommenginger: cg1@noc.ac.uk or celt2@soton.ac.uk.
