Research Fellow in Probabilistic Tsunami Risk Analysis and Impact Forecasti

at  University College London

ABOUT US

Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR)
The UCL Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR) inspires innovation and evidence-based practice focused on improving disaster risk reduction (DRR) through our research, education, and partnerships. This creates a better life for many people by reducing the negative impacts of disasters.
The RDR is an exciting cross-UCL department, which leads research, knowledge exchange and teaching in the fields of risk and disaster reduction and humanitarian action. By providing a focus for UCL’s activities, with its breadth of disciplinary emphasis, promotion of novel multidisciplinary research and translation into practice, the IRDR aims to assume a role of leadership both in the UK and internationally.
Research
The RDR strives to produce world-leading research in disaster risk reduction through a multidisciplinary perspective for the long-term benefit of humanity. The IRDR conducts research around the themes of disaster risk reduction and resilience, cascading crises, natural hazards, climate change risk and adaptation, humanitarian crisis response, GIS and remote sensing, law and economics, conflict and migration, catastrophe modelling, warning, digital health in emergencies, and inclusivity including gender responsive resilience, in order to integrate education, research, innovation and enterprise for the long-term benefit of humanity.
Teaching
The RDR aims to develop leaders and experts in disaster risk reduction research, education, and practice. We run PhD and MRes programmes in risk and disaster reduction, masters programmes in risk, disaster and resilience and risk and disaster science, and an undergraduate programme in global humanitarian studies, all with a diverse and cross-disciplinary international intake. We have about 25 PhD students, 80 masters students and 60 students per year in the BSc programme that launched in 2021.
Knowledge Exchange, Public Policy and Research Impact
The RDR seeks to empower all to break down barriers to global DRR knowledge. Thus, knowledge exchange is a core part of the mission of the IRDR, which it seeks to fulfil by publishing high-impact reports, engagement with the media and building long-term partnerships. The postholder will also benefit from the RDR research networks and environments and is expected to contribute to the Institute’s activities and events, such as the annual conference promoted by the department.

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD (or be close to completion) in Civil Engineering, Geo-informatics, Geography, Earth Sciences, or a relevant field. They should be familiar with probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk analysis, and the tsunami early warning systems (TEWS). Experience of working with spatial data, Geographical Information System (GIS), probabilistic and machine learning skills, and coding experience with Python are highly desirable. The successful applicant will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English to a wide variety of audiences; computer and software skills; organisational and independent working skills. They should be able to work collaboratively with a diversity of colleagues and students; have a commitment to high quality research; contribute to scientific and popular science dissemination; and contribute to the RDR multidisciplinary and multi-cultural intellectual environment.

ABOUT THE ROLE

PCTWIN (People-Centred Tsunami Early Warning for the Indian Coastlines)
The “People-Centred Tsunami early Warning for the Indian coastlines (PCTWIN)” is a 4-year (£1.67M) grant funded by NERC UKRI and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), started on 15/02/2024. It is led by University College London (UCL)’s Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad. This collaborative project involves the core team, UCL, INCOIS, University of Edinburgh, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) India, and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). Furthermore, the project involves as international partners, the Helmholtz-Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Universidad de Málaga (UMA), Earth Observatory of Singapore, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). As advisory board, the project has representatives from the UCL Warning Research Centre (WRC), Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Geoscience Australia (GA), and International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University.
PCTWIN conducts research informed by understanding of disasters and by local knowledge. It aims to:
1. Improve the understanding of and address knowledge gaps in the fundamental properties and physics of tsunamigenic earthquake and landslide processes.
2. To improve detection and forecasting of tsunamis and to provide more effective and more inclusive tsunami warnings.
3. Use participatory methods to make the tsunami warning chain more inclusive and To increase preparedness to respond to tsunamis.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days per annum) per annum
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance