Fully Funded PhD Position: Fluvial Morphodynamics in the Context of Climate Change

Institution: Czech Technical University in Prague
Department: Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Position type: Fully funded PhD position in PICTUS Fellowship Programme
Duration: 4 years
Expected start date: Autumn 2026
Application deadline: 30 June 2026
Supervisor: Professor Václav Matoušek
Supervisor Contact: v.matousek@fsv.cvut.cz

Supervisor ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8289-3169

Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology, Czech Technical University in Prague invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on sediment transport and river morphological change during extreme floods.

The position is part of the PICTUS PhD Fellowship Programme, co-funded by the European Union.

PICTUS Application link: https://international.cvut.cz/jobs-at-ctu/pictus-phd-fellowship-programme/

Project description

The PhD project will investigate intense sediment transport in fluvial systems, including rivers and mountain torrents, and the associated morphological changes caused by extreme hydrological events. Particular attention will be given to processes such as erosion, deposition, bed evolution, and changes in channel morphology during and after extreme floods.

The research will combine numerical modelling and laboratory modelling to improve the understanding of sediment-laden open-channel flows and their role in shaping riverbeds and torrent channels. The project is motivated by the increasing frequency and severity of extreme hydrological events in the context of climate change, and by their impacts on river systems, infrastructure, flood risk, and landscape evolution.

The research field of sediment transport, river hydraulics, and fluvial morphodynamics is well established at the inviting department, providing the successful candidate with a strong scientific environment, access to relevant expertise, and appropriate modelling and laboratory facilities.

Candidate profile

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in river processes, sediment transport, hydraulics, and climate-change-related flood impacts.

Applicants should have a background in one or more of the following fields:

• Civil engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Hydraulic engineering
• Geomorphology
• Applied mathematics or numerical modelling
• A related discipline

Experience with numerical modelling of solid-liquid open-channel flows, sediment transport, hydraulic modelling, or morphodynamic modelling will be considered an advantage.

The candidate should have:

• A Master’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant field
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interest in both numerical and experimental research methods
• Strong programming skills – Matlab or similar
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
• Good written and spoken English

We offer

• A fully funded PhD position within the PICTUS PhD fellowship programme
• Research on a timely and societally relevant topic related to climate change, extreme floods, sediment transport, and river morphology
• Supervision by an experienced research team in fluvial morphodynamics and hydraulic engineering
• Access to numerical modelling tools, laboratory facilities, and research infrastructure
• Opportunities for international collaboration, training, and conference participation
• A stimulating academic environment at CTU in Prague

Application procedure

Applications must be submitted through the official PICTUS PhD Fellowship Programme application procedure: https://international.cvut.cz/jobs-at-ctu/pictus-phd-fellowship-programme/

Applicants should consult the PICTUS PhD Fellowship Programme website for the full list of required application documents and formal eligibility conditions. The PICTUS call states that candidates must upload the required documents through the dedicated application form, and that the research proposal is one of the required documents.

Important: Item No. 3 on the list of required documents, the Research Proposal, should be prepared based on the selected topic and consulted with the potential supervisor before submission.

Contact

For informal inquiries and consultation of the research proposal, please contact: Professor Vaclav Matousek at v.matousek@fsv.cvut.cz