Monitoring and managing the impacts of extreme sediment-rich flows in fluvial systems

WESTOBY_P25ARIES

Monitoring and managing the impacts of extreme sediment-rich flows in fluvial systems

WESTOBY_P25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Matt Westoby, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES), University of Plymouth – contact me

Professor Sarah Boulton, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth

Professor Will Blake, Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth

Professor Stuart Dunning, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University

 

Background:

Extreme sediment-rich flows, triggered by natural or man-made dam outbursts, landslides, and wildfires, cause major disruptions in river systems. Due to climate change, the frequency and magnitude of these events are expected to rise, as many triggers are climate-sensitive. These flows mobilise vast amounts of sediment, generating post-event pulses involving a variety of grain sizes. These pulses are challenging to identify, monitor, and model, complicating hazard management. This is especially critical for the hydropower sector, which is rapidly expanding into unstable, high-mountain regions.

Aims and Methods:

Project aims: (1) to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of sediment pulses triggered by extreme sediment-rich floods at catchment- to regional scales; (2) to explore how optimized decision-making in the hydropower sector can reduce the impacts of these events. To achieve aim (1), you will use Google Earth Engine to identify sediment pulses, analysing their timing, magnitude, and runout, while assessing the role of hydropower infrastructure in buffering or exacerbating pulse conveyance. Field-deployed turbidity sensors will calibrate and validate your observations, allowing you to apply methods at scale (e.g., mountain range fronts) and develop a new empirically informed, conceptual model of sediment-rich flow behaviours in such landscapes. In pursuit of aim (2), you will utilize open-source modelling tools with stochastic simulation functionality, like PySedSim, supported by data from your study catchment(s), to explore how hydropower sediment management strategies can be adapted to mitigate the impacts of sediment-rich flows while balancing the often-competing priorities of energy production, water quality, and hydro-geomorphic connectivity.

Person Specification and Training:

We encourage applicants from geoscience backgrounds and also numerate degrees (mathematics, physics, computer science) with limited/no exposure to the environmental sciences. Experience with geospatial methods including familiarity with, or an aptitude to learn, common programming languages, is desirable. You will be encouraged to attend discipline-specific external training courses, and those which focus on improving technical competencies. You will align with the NERC-funded SUPERSLUG project and will work within a diverse international team including other early career researchers. Inclusive fieldwork will be centred on the Indian Himalaya in the first instance, with opportunity to attend conferences and undertake external engagement.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Geography (Physical Geography focus); Geology / Earth Sciences; Mathematics; Physics; Computer Science

References

  • Westoby et al. (2023) Rapid fluvial remobilization of sediments deposited by the 2021 Chamoli disaster, Indian Himalaya. Geology, v. 51(10). https://doi.org/10.1130/G51225.1
  • Shugar + 52 others, incl. Westoby, Dunning (2021) A massive rock and ice avalanche caused the 2021 disaster at Chamoli, Indian Himalaya. Science, v. 373. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh4455
  • Jones, Boulton et al. (2021) 30-year record of Himalaya mass-wasting reveals landscape perturbations by extreme events. Nature Communications, v. 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26964-8
  • Boothroyd et al. (2021) Applications of Google Earth Engine in fluvial geomorphology for detecting river channel change. WIREs Water, v. 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1496
  • Wild et al. (2021) An open source reservoir and sediment simulation framework for identifying and evaluating siting, design, and operation alternatives. Environmental Modelling & Software, v. 136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104947

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of Plymouth Application Portal