PhD in Resilience to Sea Level Rise

As sea levels rise, coastal defences face increasing exposure to overtopping and wave action, raising the likelihood of structural damage and failure. This theme investigates how climate change projections can be used to better understand future sea level and storm conditions, informing the design of coastal defence technologies capable of withstanding evolving hazards over their operational lifetime. It also explores how monitoring technologies, including satellite based observation, can be used to track coastal change, defence performance and emerging vulnerabilities across large and often remote coastlines. Research within this theme spans the full pathway from climate projection through to defence design and long term monitoring, supporting the development of coastal infrastructure that remains safe and effective as conditions change. This theme suits candidates interested in combining coastal and structural engineering with climate science, remote sensing and data driven monitoring to address one of the most pressing challenges facing coastal nations worldwide.

<h3 dir="ltr">Detailed description</h3> <p dir="ltr">Sea level rise represents one of the most significant long term threats to coastal infrastructure, altering the loading conditions and hazard exposure that coastal defences were originally designed to withstand. As sea levels increase, the frequency and severity of wave overtopping events rise correspondingly, placing greater hydraulic and structural loading on sea walls, revetments and other coastal defence structures. This research theme investigates the mechanisms by which overtopping and wave action lead to the erosion, damage and eventual failure of coastal defences, and how these processes can be better understood and predicted using physical and numerical modelling approaches.</p> <p dir="ltr">A central element of this theme is the use of climate change projections to anticipate future sea level and storm conditions, allowing coastal defences to be designed and adapted for hazards that may differ substantially from historical conditions. This includes exploring how uncertainty in climate projections can be incorporated into engineering design and adaptation planning. Research also extends to the design of coastal defence technologies themselves, including nature based, hybrid and traditional hard engineering solutions, evaluating their performance under future sea level and wave conditions. Monitoring forms a further key strand of this theme, using satellite based remote sensing alongside ground based instrumentation to track coastal change, defence deformation and early indicators of structural vulnerability across extensive and sometimes inaccessible coastlines.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Why this research is important</h3> <p dir="ltr">Coastal regions are home to a large proportion of the world's population and infrastructure, making them highly exposed to the consequences of sea level rise. As overtopping and wave action intensify, existing coastal defences risk being overwhelmed more frequently, increasing the likelihood of flooding, structural failure and disruption to coastal communities and economies. Many existing defences were designed using historical climate data and may not be adequate for future conditions, making it essential to incorporate up to date climate projections into design and adaptation strategies. Without improved understanding and monitoring, damage to coastal defences may go undetected until failure occurs, by which point the consequences can be severe and costly. Advancing coastal defence technologies and improving the ability to monitor infrastructure performance at scale, including through satellite based methods, is essential for protecting lives, property and economic activity in the face of accelerating sea level rise.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Example PhD research topics</h3> <ul dir="ltr"> <li>Numerical modelling of overtopping on coastal defence structures</li> <li>Assessment of coastal defence vulnerability under future sea level rise scenarios</li> <li>Performance evaluation of nature based and hybrid coastal defence solutions</li> <li>Satellite based monitoring of coastal erosion and defence deformation</li> <li>Adaptive design strategies for coastal infrastructure under deep uncertainty</li> <li>Long term degradation modelling of coastal structures</li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr">Methods and techniques</h3> <ul dir="ltr"> <li>Physical and numerical wave modelling</li> <li>Climate change projection analysis and downscaling</li> <li>Satellite based remote sensing and Synthetic Aperture Radar</li> <li>Structural performance and reliability analysis</li> <li>Coastal process and sediment transport modelling</li> <li>Machine learning for coastal hazard prediction</li> <li>Geospatial data analysis and mapping</li> <li>Risk and uncertainty quantification methods</li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr">Suitable academic backgrounds</h3> <p dir="ltr">Suitable candidates will hold an academic background in civil engineering, coastal engineering, environmental engineering, climate science, geography, applied mathematics or a closely related engineering or scientific discipline.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">FAQ</h3> <ol dir="ltr"> <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> </ol> <h3 dir="ltr">Join an International Research Group</h3> <p dir="ltr">My research group includes PhD students and researchers from a range of countries working across Artificial Intelligence, climate resilience, satellite monitoring, transport engineering and geotechnical engineering. Although every student develops their own specialist project, many topics overlap, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate and learn from one another. You will also become part of the wider Engineering postgraduate research community at the University of Leeds.</p> <p data-path-to-node="14"><strong data-index-in-node="0" data-path-to-node="14">Useful links</strong></p> <ul data-path-to-node="15"> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,0,0"><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/prof-david-p-connolly">University Profile</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,1,0"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidconnolly/">LinkedIn</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,2,0"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jzkpu9IAAAAJ&hl=en">Google Scholar</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,3,0"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Connolly-7">ResearchGate</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,4,0"><a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3950-8704">ORCID</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,5,0"><a href="https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=35098220800">Scopus</a></p> </li> </ul>

<p>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's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Appli</strong><strong>cation type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is <strong>2027/28 Academic Year</strong>. <br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>‘Planned Course of Study’</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘<strong>PhD Civil Engineering FT</strong>’. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> </strong>from<strong> 1 October 2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>PhD in Resilience to Sea Level Rise</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/dr-david-p-connolly">Professor David Connolly</a><strong> </strong>as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>We will assess applications continuously as we receive them. 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. </p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>CV</li> <li>A personal statement outlining your interest in the project, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>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.</em></p>

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.

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.

<p>This is a non funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self funded or to secure external funding.</p> <p>You can find out more about our Funding Opportunities on our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/">Postgraduate Research Opportunities</a> website.</p> <p><strong>Important</strong>: Please note that all costs associated with your arrival at Leeds (visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>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></p> <p>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></p>