Director of Studies:
Dr Matt Westoby
Second Supervisor:
Professor Anne Mather
Third Supervisor: Professor Stuart Dunning, Newcastle University
Second Supervisor:
Third Supervisor: Professor Stuart Dunning, Newcastle University
Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 01 October 2027.
Project description
Scientific background:
Climate warming is reshaping mountain landscapes [1,2]. Glacier retreat removes ice support, redistributes near-surface stress fields, and exposes slopes to changing hydrological and thermomechanical regimes, including permafrost thaw. These changes are increasing rockfall frequency and magnitude [3], creating escalating hazards for mountain communities, transport networks and visitors. Yet because rockfall is notoriously difficult to monitor, we lack detailed quantitative understanding of how rockfall dynamics are evolving concurrently with deglaciation. The Mont Blanc massif provides an exceptional natural laboratory, exemplifying processes driving change across deglaciating mountain regions worldwide. This project will provide evidence needed to understand how climate warming is reshaping rockfall dynamics and improve future hazard assessment for mountain communities.
Methods:
You will combine field-based remote sensing and numerical modelling to quantify rockfall activity in accessible deglaciating catchments in the Mont Blanc massif. Objectives: (1) deploy long-range terrestrial laser scanning [2] and low-cost time-lapse cameras to acquire repeat high-resolution topography and imagery of glacier-adjacent rock walls; (2) undertake 3D change detection [e.g. 4] to detect and characterise new rockfalls, and 2D rockfall scar spectroscopy to identify and date abundant existing scars preserved across rock walls, creating a novel inventory spanning recent events to centuries-millennia; (3) interrogate this inventory to reveal patterns in rockfall location, geometry and timing, testing the generality of existing hypotheses (e.g. larger rockfalls occur from newly deglaciated slopes), and; (4) undertake rockfall-runout modelling [e.g. 5] to reconstruct rockfall trajectories and predict future runout pathways, informing regional hazard assessment.
Training:
You will develop expertise in high-resolution topographic surveying, advanced geospatial analysis and numerical modelling, complemented by specialist training in geomorphological practice. The project includes inclusive overseas fieldwork, opportunities to present at national and international conferences, and data management, visualization and science communication training. You will join a diverse network of researchers undertaking externally funded research into mountain hazards, including early career researchers.
Person specification:
We seek an enthusiastic individual with a 2:1 degree or above in physical geography, geology, physics, engineering, or related disciplines. Good quantitative skills are essential. Experience with high-resolution topographic data is desirable but not essential – training will be provided.
References
Islam N, Carrivick, J, Coulthard T, Westoby M, Dunning S, Gindraux S (2025) A growing threat of multi-hazard cascades highlighted by the Birch Glacier collapse and Blatten landscape in the Swiss Alps. Geology Today. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12526
Stewart R, Westoby M, Dunning S, Rowan A, Woodward J (2025) Exploring short-term rockfall inventories in deglaciating catchments: From evidencing glacial history to modelling rockfall runout. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70217
Courtial-Manent et al. (2025) A significant doubling of rockfall rates since the LIA in the Mont-Blanc massif, inferred from 10Be concentrations and rockfall inventories. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119142
Marinos et al. (2025) VoxFall: Non-parametric volumetric change detection for rockfalls. Engineering Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108045
Noël et al. (2023) Comparing Flow-R, Rockyfor3D and RAMMS to rockfalls from the Mel de la Niva mountain: A benchmarking exercise. Geosciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13070200
Eligibility
Acceptable first degree subject(s): Geography (Physical Geography focus), Geology / Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.
ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27 (2027/28 TBC) and a research training and support grant (RTSG).
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.
NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.
Working part-time while receiving a stipend at the University of Plymouth is generally permitted, provided it does not conflict with the terms of your funding or visa requirements.
- Full-time jobs cannot be held alongside a full-time stipend.
- International students are generally limited to 20 hours of work per week.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact
Dr Matt Westoby .
Please view a list of
supporting documents to upload with your application.
For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our
how to apply for a research degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is 16 December 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.