Postgraduate research opportunities Monitoring coastal systems: high-resolution techniques for environmental change detection
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Monday 3 February 2025
- Deadline: Wednesday 30 April 2025
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 36 months
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
This project focuses on using advanced monitoring technologies to study coastal dunes and shoreline dynamics, which are critical habitats and buffers against coastal hazards. By utilising high-resolution remote sensing technologies, this project will provide a detailed evaluation of sediment transport, shoreline morphology, and dune system dynamics over a 20–30 year timescale. It will generate actionable insights to support conservation and sustainable management of Scotland's coastal regions.Eligibility
You will be expected to:
- conduct high-quality research in the area of coastal modelling
- participate in relevant training activities and events
- disseminate research findings through publications and presentations
- contribute to the wider research community through engagement and collaboration with other researchers
Qualifications
- you should hold (or expect to get) a minimum of an upper second class honours degree or an MSc with distinction in engineering, physical sciences, maths, or a related field.
- prior knowledge or experience in coastal and ocean modelling, and climate science would be advantageous but not essential.
- some programming experience in analytical languages such as MATLAB, Python or R would be beneficial.
- a background in HPC-based computer modelling is desirable but not essential.
- experience in research, preferably in the form of a research project or dissertation would be beneficial.
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- ability to work independently and as part of a team
Project Details
This studentship is due to commence in October 2025. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted for an interview, which will take place at the end of April.
Objectives
- evaluate and apply advanced monitoring technologies (e.g., satellite imagery, UAVs, LiDAR) to study sediment transport, shoreline morphology, and vegetation dynamics.
- analyse historical and recent remote sensing data to quantify changes in coastal dune systems and identify trends influenced by climate change.
- develop predictive models to simulate future scenarios of shoreline and dune changes under varying climate conditions.
- provide actionable insights and recommendations for the conservation and management of coastal dunes as part of Scotland’s coastal ecosystems.
Further information
Intertek Metoc will provide a placement opportunity for you, hosting you for up to 12 months and granting access to facilities, resources, and technical expertise to support your research.
Funding details
This is a funded position for 36 months (UK home students) and includes a stipend in line with UKRI levels.
Home Students
To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:
- Be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
- Have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
- Have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/ EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
Dr Bahareh Kamranzad
Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow
Civil and Environmental Engineering
External supervisors
Apply
Number of places: 1
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Civil and Environmental Engineering
Programme: Civil and Environmental Engineering