PhD position on debris flow magnitude and frequencies

Want to investigate how climate and geology influence debris flows initiation, growth, and potential impact? Excited? Join our team.

Your job
Debris flows are dangerous for both people and infrastructure. Although scientists have studied how rainfall and sediment supply affect debris flows, we still know little about how sediment availability changes across space and time, and how this controls how often debris flows occur and how big and hazardous they are. In this project, we will use uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and modelling to study how, where, and when sediment is produced in mountain catchments in the European Alps, and how this affects debris flow. Using climate scenarios, we will also predict how debris flow hazards may change in the future. Our results will improve hazard assessments, support decision-makers, and advance debris-flow modelling for future research.

In this PhD, you will carry out field measurements and run numerical simulations to better understand and predict debris-flow sizes and frequencies by:

1. Measuring rock fractures from UAV data using manual and automated mapping approaches (e.g., machine learning, convolutional neural networks).
2. Monitoring physical weathering processes using temperature loggers together with existing frost-cracking and thermal-stress models.
3. Measuring sediment supply from rockfalls and debris-flow sediment movement using UAV surveys carried out several times per year.
4. Modelling debris-flow sediment dynamics with a probabilistic sediment-cascade model.
5. Studying how climate change affects debris-flow activity by incorporating downscaled climate scenarios into debris-flow models.

You will work within a large international team. You will conduct seasonal and annual UAV surveys in three debris-flow catchments in France (with Prof. Frédéric Liebault and Dr. Guillaume Piton, INRAE), Switzerland (with Dr. Brian McArdell, WSL), and Italy (with Dr. Roland Kaitna, BOKU Vienna). You will use the collected data to identify fracture patterns that control rockfall sizes and to quantify sediment movement within each catchment. You will be supported by experienced UAV pilots and data-processing experts. You will also analyze temperature logger data to understand how weathering contributes to sediment production (in collaboration with Dr. Martha Cary Eppes, UNC Charlotte). In addition, you will learn to apply the probabilistic debris-flow model SedCas to simulate present and future debris-flow frequency and magnitude (in collaboration with Dr. Jacob Hirschberg, ETH Zurich).

We are looking for a candidate with a passion for natural hazards and geomorphology, and who enjoys mountains, hiking, and travel, as the position requires 1–2 months of fieldwork per year in high-alpine environments. If you are excited about working in stunning landscapes, enjoy flying drones and outdoor data collection with international teams, and have an interest in coding and handling large spatial and temporal datasets, this position is for you. This PhD offers the opportunity to explore your passion for geology and geomorphology, study debris-flow processes, and build a strong research career in the growing field of natural hazards.

To support academic and personal development, PhD candidates follow courses and assist in teaching Earth Sciences at Bachelor's and Master's level. Together these activities amount to twenty percent of the contracted time.

The project combines remote sensing, numerical modelling, and fieldwork. We recognize that no candidate will have experience in all of these areas, and we encourage you to apply if you have the following qualifications:

• Ability and motivation to conduct fieldwork in alpine environments, and willingness to obtain a UAV license.
• Interest in coding (e.g., Python, Matlab, R) and numerical modelling.
• Enthusiasms for working with large spatial and temporal datasets.

You must have:

• An MSc in Earth sciences, hydrology, civil engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
• A collaborative mindset and an interest in interdisciplinary scientific challenges.
• A driving license, or willingness to obtain one.
• Excellent spoken and written English, and willingness to learn Dutch. German or French skills are helpful—but not required—for fieldwork.

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of 4 years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The team of the Department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. We research processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s systems from the mountains to the sea, and the interaction in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We have access to world-class laboratories like Geolab and Earth Simulation Lab, and to excellent high-performance computing facilities.

We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD-students, researchers and lecturers). We organize a warm welcome for every new member.

The department and its facilities are located at Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Daniel Draebing via d.draebing@uu.nl or Dr. Tjalling de Haas via t.dehaas@uu.nl.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.