Assessing the potential of using new technologies to supplement flood warnings and exposure assessment in areas at risk of surface water flooding

Overview:
There exist today a great many more data sources for flood monitoring and advances in technology which are now making it feasible for data to be used in a more dynamic way for flood forecasting. Historical approaches to forecasting flood extents have traditionally relied heavily on modelling approaches, which are frequently difficult to fully validate. Advances in drone technologies and other in-situ water sensors are expanding rapidly in terms of their usability and reliability. This project is jointly sponsored by BCU and FloodRe as industrial partner, who specialise in modelling improved spatial flood footprints to assist with loss estimation
This proposed research project aims to evaluate the reliability of the new technologies, such as low cost sensors with Drone and Satellite image and its potential to assimilate data in with other data. The study will assess the potential for improved spatial flood footprints to assist with loss estimation and consider in more detail the benefits to the local community through an improved view of localised flooding. The research project will pilot within the Midlands region as Birmingham was subject to intense surface water flooding in May 2018 and is known to be at risk from flooding.

Person specification
A valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (Academic IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0, must be submitted with your application.
MSc or equivalent professional or research experience in remote sensing, robotics Electronic, Computing, Control Engineering, and computational computing or closely related fields and have knowledge of sensor technology and wireless sensor network, image processing, communication and IoT technology.

References
Fava, M. et al, (2018) Flood modelling using synthesised citizen science urban streamflow observations, early view
Ochoa‐Rodríguez, S, Wang, L.P., Thraves, L., Johnston, A. and Onof, C. (2015) Surface water flood warnings in England: overview, assessment and recommendations based on survey responses and workshops, Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11/1
Speight,L. et al, (2016) Developing surface water flood forecasting capabilities in Scotland: an operational pilot for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11/2

How to apply
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Friday 28th June 2019.
To apply, please complete the project proposal form and then complete the online application where you will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement.
You can find further details on studying for a PhD and details of how to apply here – https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/bsbe-research-degrees-phd-2019-20
Reference: CEBE-FLOWAR

Contact
The successful candidate will be supported by an interdisciplinary research team, consisting of Prof Wenyan Wu, Wenyan.wu@bcu.ac.uk, Dr Emma Bergin of Flood Re, emma.bergin@floodre.co.uk (industrial adviser) and Dr Florimond Gueniat, Florimond.Gueniat@bcu.ac.uk. For further information please contact the Director of Studies, Prof Wenyan Wu, Wenyan.wu@bcu.ac.uk.

Funding notes
The opportunity is open to Home, EU and International applicants who meet the required Birmingham City University eligibility criteria. The PhD studentship includes a full stipend, paid for a period of 3 years at RCUK rates (in 2019/20 this is £15,009 pa) and fees at Home/EU rate. This studentship is available for September 2019 start and no later than February 2020. International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship but must meet the shortfall on fees between Home/EU and International rate.