Project details
Flooding and drought pose growing threats to UK communities under climate change. This project investigates how nature-based interventions, can reduce flood risk and recharge groundwater for drought mitigation in Northamptonshire catchments. Using physical flume experiments, field monitoring, and numerical modelling, the project will optimise the design and placement of these low-cost, sustainable solutions to maximise return on investment.
Working in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Forestry England, and North Northamptonshire Council (subject to contract), findings will directly inform local water management and contribute to national water security policies, building resilience against increasingly frequent and severe flood and drought events.
Application information
Please note that your application will be assessed upon:
- Motivation and Career Aspirations
- Potential & Intellectual Excellence
- Suitability for specific project
- Fit to i-Risk
Please familiarise yourselves with i-Risk before applying. During the application process candidates will need to upload:
A two-page personal statement split into two sections:
- One page dedicated to your research interests in informatics and disaster risk reduction, the i-Risk DFA and your rationale for your choice of project
- One page dedicated to answering the following questions:
- Tell us about a time when you identified a new approach to a problem. What was your decision-making process? (~150 words)
- Tell us about a time where you have performed data analytics. What was the task? What made it difficult? How did you handle it? (~150 words)
- Tell us about a goal have you set for yourself that you have successfully achieved. How did you stay motivated? (~150 words)
- Describe a situation where you demonstrated that you can constructively handle setbacks. How did you troubleshoot the problem? (~150 words)
- A curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
- An IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Robert Houseago
Secondary supervisor: Josh Wolstenholme
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2026-27 entry
UK fee
Fully funded Full-time degree per annum
International fee
Fully funded Full-time degree per annum
Fees for the 2026-27 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2026, February 2027 and July 2027.
Find out more about research degree funding
Studentship type – UKRI through i-Risk Doctoral Focal Award. The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Excellent International candidates are eligible for a full international fee waiver however due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates.
How to apply
All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select School of Social Science and Humanities. Please quote the advert reference IRISK-26-LU-06 in your application.
This PhD is being advertised competitively as part of the Informatics for Multi-hazard Risk and Resilience (i-Risk) NERC Doctoral Focal Awards (DFA) in the Environmental Sciences. Further details about i-Risk can be seen on their website.
You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss project specific aspects of the proposed project prior to submitting your application. If you have any general questions please contact irisk@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.
