Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Overview

Water and Climate Risk is a PhD programme dedicated to exploring and modelling the impacts of climate and water extremes, such as floods and droughts, on society, ecosystems, and economic systems. This programme equips students with the necessary research methods for risk assessment and encourages the development of strategies to mitigate these impacts through enhanced data analysis, modelling, and decision support systems.

What you'll study

The programme encompasses three primary research lines within the Department of Water and Climate Risk, allowing doctoral candidates to design their own research projects while engaging in comprehensive doctoral training:

• Climate Extremes, Attribution and Forecasting
  Investigate the occurrence of extreme climate events, their attribution to climate drivers, and the methodologies for forecasting such events for risk management.
• Flood, Drought and Multi-Risk Assessment
  Focus on assessing the impacts of floods and droughts, including the interrelationships across various hazards and sectors such as water availability, infrastructure, agriculture, and public health.
• Socio-Hydrological Feedbacks and Risk Management
  Examine the interactions between human and water systems, their influence on vulnerability, and the development of adaptation pathways and risk reduction strategies.

Doctoral training typically includes:

• Regular supervision meetings and progress assessments
• Participation in research seminars, workshops, and methodological training
• Opportunities for academic dissemination through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications
• Completion of a doctoral thesis and adherence to the PhD requirements set by VU Amsterdam, including any necessary training components and milestones

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess a Master’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as hydrology, climate science, environmental sciences, geosciences, engineering, statistics, data science, or related disciplines. Admission is primarily based on the alignment of your background and proposed research direction with the available supervision.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Water and Climate Risk PhD programme are well-prepared for a variety of career paths in academia, research institutions, governmental agencies, and private sector organizations focused on climate resilience, environmental management, and risk assessment. Their expertise in understanding and managing water and climate-related risks makes them valuable assets in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.