About the Project
This PhD is part of the Net Zero Polar Science DTP, which aims to make polar science possible in a net zero world. For further details visit https://nzps-dtp.ac.uk/
Supervisory Team
- C. Scott Watson (Lead), University of Leeds
- Katie E. Miles, Lancaster University
- Jonathan L. Carrivick, University of Leeds
- Greta H Wells, University of Iceland
Proglacial lakes are developing in the basins left behind by retreating glaciers. Lakes accelerate glacier mass loss through undercutting, initiation of calving, and floatation of glaciers. They also act as water stores, sediment traps, and can pose a hazard in the event of a glacial lake outburst flood. Little is known about the intra-seasonal subaqueous interaction between lakes and glaciers because turbid meltwater prohibits visual observations and calving fronts present a hazard to surveying. Similarly, analysis of satellite observations can be hindered by cloud cover, or an inability to resolve processes such as calving and glacier thinning with sufficient temporal resolution.
This project will couple citizen-led field-based and remote sensing observations at proglacial lakes in Iceland to uncover lake–glacier dynamics at high temporal frequency. The methodology will also empower local participation with a global challenge and address the site-specific socio-economic impacts of deglaciation. The case study will demonstrate and quantify the carbon savings from both citizen-led glaciological monitoring and in-situ monitoring with remote telemetry compared to traditional researcher-led repeat fieldwork. These methods will reduce project carbon footprints and costs whilst empowering local participation with global challenges.
At selected observatory sites in Iceland, the project will establish high-frequency monitoring of glacial lake dynamics using satellite data including Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, ICESat-2, Landsat, and SWOT. The project will develop an automated protocol for integrating and cross-validating crowdsourced data with satellite data. Guided glacier visitors will collect targeted observations (e.g., GNSS tracks, water storage, moulin mapping, crevasse formation, repeat photography). The project will also establish in-situ monitoring on floating platforms for temperature, conductivity, and turbidity, with data transmitted via telemetry.
Research Objectives
- Evaluate open datasets and literature to quantify the global distribution and local climate sensitivity of glacial and glacial lake environments accessed by non-academic users
- Develop an automated protocol for collecting, integrating, and validating glaciological observations collected through citizen science, in-situ monitoring, and remote sensing
- Quantify and model glacier and glacial lake evolution at demonstrator observatory sites (e.g. Sólheimajökull) to enhance understanding of lake–glacier interactions and assess the cascading environmental, economic, and societal impacts of glacier recession
- Net Zero Case Study Objective: The case study will demonstrate and quantify the carbon savings from both citizen-led glaciological monitoring and in situ monitoring with remote telemetry compared to the current requirements of repeat researcher field visits. These methods will also reduce project costs and empower local participation with global challenges.
Technical Approaches: In-situ instrumentation will focus on deploying sensors with cellular or satellite telemetry, including low-cost thermistor strings, pressure transducers, and GNSS receivers. Citizen-led field observations would be validated with coincident satellite retrievals and used to assess the evolution of the lake–glacier interface. 3D topographic data will be generated using structure-from-motion from overlapping and repeat terrestrial imagery, in addition to drone surveys. Citizen-led GNSS data will be processed (PPK) using permanent stations in Iceland and/or a low-cost open source GNSS base station deployed in-situ. Models of lake evolution would be driven using lake bathymetry and modelled and observed glacier ice thickness.
Training Opportunities: The project would involve fieldwork in Iceland and work with in-country collaborators. Training on safe access to glacial lake and glacial environments will be provided. The project would also contribute to the Glacial Lake Observatory for Flood Hazards Impacted by Changing Climate (GLO-FHICC) project to integrate the study sites into a near-real time monitoring network.
Academic Background: This project would be suitable for students with a good first degree (1 or high 2i) in geography/ GIS/ earth sciences/ glaciology/ or related discipline. A masters degree would be advantageous and experience in computer programming (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB) and fieldwork skills are desirable but not essential, since training will be provided.
Eligibility
For entry to PhD study, applicants are expected to have at least one of the following:
• a first or upper second (2:1) class honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or an equivalent international qualification,
• a relevant master’s qualification or equivalent evidence of prior professional practice.
International applicants and candidates from non-English speaking countries will need to meet the minimum language requirements for admission onto the programme of study for their Home institution.
How to Apply
To apply for a NZPS DTP studentship, please follow the guidance on the NZPS application process webpage.
Informal enquiries about the project and your application should be addressed to the project supervisor, Dr C Scott Watson – C.S.Watson@leeds.ac.uk
After you have discussed your application with the project supervisor and read the NZPS application guidance, you should:
1) Complete the online NZPS Application Form by 17.00GMT 7th January 2026.
2) Submit any additional application documents in the requested format to NZPS@northumbria.ac.uk by the closing date.
If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at nzps@northumbria.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Funding is available to Home/UK and international (including EU) students, subject to the successful completion of quality assurance checks and UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) compliance requirements. This includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 FT study this is ÂŁ20,780 per year), full tuition fees and an annual Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). Studentships are also available for Home applicants who wish to study part-time in combination with work or personal responsibilities. Please note: additional costs may apply for international applicants.
References
1. Watson, C.S. Kargel, J.S. Haritashya, U. Shugar, D. H. and Schiassi, E. 2020. Mass loss from calving in Himalayan proglacial lakes. Front. Earth Sci. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2019.00342
2. Miles, K.E., Willis, I.C., Benedek, C.L., Williamson, A.G. and Tedesco, M., 2017. Toward monitoring surface and subsurface lakes on the Greenland ice sheet using Sentinel-1 SAR and Landsat-8 OLI imagery. Frontiers in Earth Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2017.00058
3. Carrivick, J.L. and Tweed, F.S., 2013. Proglacial lakes: character, behaviour and geological importance. Quaternary Science Reviews, 78, pp.34-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.07.028
