PhD Position In Global Flood Risk Assessment

Contents of the research:Economic losses due to weather related natural hazards continue to rise rapidly in all regions of the world. For example, extreme flood events and storm surges all have a significant impact on society, and these impacts will increase in the future through climate change and socio-economic developments. Much research to date has focused on the assessment and quantification of the natural hazard component of flood risk including the effects of climate change, which may lead to increased hazard magnitude and/or intensity in many regions. However, there is a growing understanding that increasing exposure of people and economic assets has been the major cause of the long term increases in economic losses from weather and climate-related disasters. Some studies have investigated losses from natural disasters in the past, and others assessed future increase in risk from natural hazards using simulation models or statistical extrapolation. This project focusses on modelling the vulnerability of properties in flood-prone areas, and how this vulnerability can be reduced by policies that improve household flood preparedness and by insurance strategies.

Requirements:The candidate must have a Masters degree in Economics, Earth and Economy, Civil/Environmental Engineering or related fields. The preferred candidate will have knowledge of agent based models, statistical methods, quantitative data-assessment, programming (Python/Matlab) and simulation models. The position involves collaboration and communication in a larger research team of researchers from other disciplines involved in international research projects.

Application Procedure:Applicants are requested to write a letter in which they describe their abilities and motivation, accompanied by their curriculum vitae, copies of relevant research papers and/or theses and two letters of recommendation. Applications should be sent by e-mail before 15 October 2015 to Marjolijn Staarink: [email protected]