Climate change is expected to result in more frequent and intense precipitation 
events in many regions. Heavy rainfall can trigger debris flows by saturating 
the soil and increasing pore water pressure, reducing the friction that holds 
materials in place.  Debris flows are rapid movements of water-saturated, 
unconsolidated material (such as soil, rocks, and organic matter) down a slope. 
These flows can be extremely destructive, posing risks to infrastructure, 
property, and human life. This PhD project aims to advance the understanding of 
viscoplastic debris flows, characterized by their complex rheological behavior, 
to improve prediction, mitigation, and management strategies. This research will 
enhance the predictive capability for debris flows, contributing to safer 
infrastructure design and more effective disaster risk management. The findings 
will benefit not only the academic community but also engineers, urban planners, 
and policymakers involved in mitigating the risks associated with debris flows.

The project is conducted at the CES lab within the School of Engineering at the 
University of Tasmania.

Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on 
academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

A strong academic background in Mechanical or Civil engineering
Proficiency in numerical modeling and computational methods
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

Knowledge of a programming language(s)


Please send your CV and, if necessary, your English certificate to the specified 
email address.