PhD in Satellite Monitoring of Geotechnical Stability

PGR-P-1277

Key facts

Type of research degree: PhD
Application deadline: Friday 30 April 2027
Project start date: Friday 1 October 2027
Country eligibility: International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Funding: Non-funded
Supervisors: Professor David Connolly
Schools: School of Civil Engineering

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Satellite monitoring and Earth Observation technologies are rapidly changing how engineers monitor, inspect and manage the natural and built environment. This research theme focuses on using satellite data, remote sensing, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), multispectral imaging and AI to monitor terrain and geotechnical hazards. Core areas of investigation include tracking earthworks and slopes to monitor geotechnical subsidence, soil moisture anomalies, and landslide precursors on natural and manmade embankments. The theme also targets ground subsidence tracking caused by groundwater extraction, particularly in highly vulnerable low lying coastal zones, alongside measuring the degradation of sea defences and shoreline retreat. Projects within this theme can be adapted to suit a wide range of engineering and scientific backgrounds. By integrating spaceborne data with geotechnical principles, this theme aims to advance predictive asset management and regional risk tracking across vulnerable landscapes.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<h3 data-path-to-node="4">Detailed Description</h3> Geotechnical assets and natural slopes are increasingly exposed to unstable environmental conditions, making traditional ground based inspection methods highly challenging to scale. This research theme explores how advanced satellite observations can provide continuous, wide area diagnostic data for slopes, earthworks, and shifting terrain. By processing spaceborne data streams, it is possible to capture millimetric changes in ground elevation and trace the underlying mechanics of slope destabilisation before failures occur. A primary analytical focus within this theme is the application of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to capture historical and active ground movements. For natural embankments and manmade slope infrastructure, these satellite measurements allow for the early detection of localized creep and sliding precursors. The research also examines the complex relationship between soil moisture variations, changing vegetation indices, and slope stability by combining multispectral imagery with radar data. Furthermore, the theme investigates regional ground subsidence driven by groundwater extraction, with a specific focus on structural threats to low lying coastal zones and the physical degradation of coastal sea defences. You will investigate the computational and data fusion frameworks required to convert raw satellite observations into reliable engineering indicators for geotechnical safety. <h3 data-path-to-node="7">Why This Research is Important</h3> Landslides, embankment collapses, and regional ground subsidence pose catastrophic risks to human life, transport infrastructure, and coastal communities. Traditional geotechnical monitoring is heavily reliant on site specific instrumentation, which is expensive to install, maintain, and limited in spatial coverage. As extreme weather events become more common, relying solely on ground inspections leaves vast networks vulnerable to undetected, large scale geohazards. This research theme is vital because it introduces a proactive, scalable, and non invasive approach to regional hazard mitigation. Using spaceborne monitoring allows for the early identification of geotechnical distress across thousands of square kilometers simultaneously. By flagging instability precursors before an outright collapse occurs, asset managers and civil authorities can implement targeted engineering interventions, protect vulnerable populations, and safeguard critical infrastructure from shifting terrain. <h3 data-path-to-node="10">Example PhD Research Topics</h3> <ul data-path-to-node="11"> <li> Wide area InSAR monitoring for tracking landslide precursors on natural and engineering slopes </li> <li> Satellite monitoring of ground subsidence driven by groundwater extraction in low lying coastal zones </li> <li> Measuring the degradation of sea defences and shoreline retreat using high resolution remote sensing </li> <li> Integrating spaceborne soil moisture mapping with slope stability models for transport earthworks </li> <li> Machine learning frameworks for automated geotechnical hazard detection in regional satellite data </li> <li> Tracking long term settlement of large scale land reclamation projects using multi temporal radar imagery </li> </ul> <h3 data-path-to-node="12">Methods and Techniques</h3> <ul data-path-to-node="13"> <li> Multi temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) processing for ground deformation tracking </li> <li> Multispectral image analysis for tracking soil moisture, vegetation indexes, and coastal erosion </li> <li> Integration of remote sensing data with geotechnical limit equilibrium and finite element analysis </li> <li> Time series data processing and statistical anomaly detection for geohazard forecasting </li> <li> Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for spatial data modeling and regional hazard mapping </li> <li> Data fusion approaches combining satellite observations with in situ geotechnical instrumentation </li> </ul> <h3 data-path-to-node="14">Suitable Academic Backgrounds</h3> <ul data-path-to-node="15"> <li> Civil Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering </li> <li> Engineering Geology or Earth Sciences </li> <li> Remote Sensing, Geomatics, or GIS </li> <li> Computer Science or Data Analytics </li> <li> Environmental Science or Applied Mathematics </li> </ul> <h3 data-path-to-node="16">FAQ</h3> <ul data-path-to-node="17"> <li> Can I propose my own PhD topic? Yes, the themes above are a guide only. </li> <li> Can I bring my own funding? Yes, I welcome applicants who are funded through government scholarships, employers or self funding. </li> <li> Do I need funding before contacting you? You should have at least identified your planned funder and commenced your application. </li> <li> Can I study interdisciplinary topics? Yes. Many of my current research interests combine multiple disciplines. </li> <li> When can I start? Start dates are in spring and autumn. Full details dates are available elsewhere on the University website </li> </ul> Useful links <ul> <li data-path-to-node="15,0,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/prof-david-p-connolly" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">University Profile</a> </li> <li data-path-to-node="15,1,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidconnolly/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">LinkedIn</a></li> <li data-path-to-node="15,2,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jzkpu9IAAAAJ&hl=en" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">Google Scholar</a></li> <li data-path-to-node="15,3,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Connolly-7" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">ResearchGate</a></li> <li data-path-to-node="15,4,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3950-8704" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">ORCID</a></li> <li data-path-to-node="15,5,0" style="margin-left:8px"><a href="https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=35098220800" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">Scopus</a></li> </ul>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. <ul> <li>For Application type please select Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate. </li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2027/28 Academic Year. </li> <li>You will need to select your Planned Course of Study from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select PHD Civil Engineering FT. </li> <li>The project start date for this project is from 1 October 2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is Next-PhD in Satellite Monitoring of Geotechnical Stability as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/dr-david-p-connolly">Professor David Connolly</a> as your proposed supervisors.</li> </ul> More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early. Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application: <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements below. As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

This is a non funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self funded or to secure external funding. You can find out more about our Funding Opportunities on our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/">Postgraduate Research Opportunities</a> website. Important: Please note that all costs associated with your arrival at Leeds (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a> For further information about this project, please contact Professor David Connolly by email to <a href="mailto:D.Connolly@leeds.ac.uk">D.Connolly@leeds.ac.uk</a>