Charles University

Introduction

Landslides are a pervasive natural hazard, yet their influence extends far beyond isolated destructive events. They actively shape mountainous landscapes, influence the evolution of river networks, and mobilise vast quantities of sediment. This project, funded by the Czech Science Foundation, moves beyond a purely hazard-centric perspective by investigating landslides as integral drivers of landscape evolution and contributors to the global carbon cycle. We explore how landslides drive drainage divide migration, the associated sediment pulses, and the carbon sequestration pathways.

The positions will be embedded in the newly established Coupled Earth Surface Research Group, in synergy with the Geohazards Group at the Institute of Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology and Applied Geophysics.

PhD Position 1: Geotechnical and Geomorphic Controls on Landslide-Driven Landscape Evolution

Do repeated landslides drive the migration of drainage divides, and to what extent does rock mass strength modulate this geomorphic process? This doctoral project will investigate the interplay between geotechnical properties and geomorphic processes in controlling landslide-induced landscape change, with a focus on drainage divide migration. The research will integrate field-based geotechnical characterisation, high-resolution remote sensing, and geomorphic analysis. Field campaigns will include geomechanical surveys and discontinuity mapping to quantify rock resistance and fracture density in key landslide scarps in the Alps and Himalayas. By coupling these material properties with landslide inventories and analysis of river profile anomalies, the study aims to establish the geomorphic effectiveness of landslides in driving divide migration and drainage network adjustment. The outcomes will bridge engineering geology and geomorphology, providing a mechanistic framework for assessing long-term landscape sensitivity to slope instability.

PhD Position 2: Controls on Fluvial Response to Landslide Sediment Pulses Under Climate Change

When a landslide deposits a huge volume of rocks and sediments into a river, what happens to that river next, and how will those effects change as the climate changes? This doctoral project will investigate the landslide-generated sediment pulses on fluvial response within the context of climate change. The methodology will integrate field-based sediment characterisation, laboratory analyses, remote sensing, and numerical modelling. Field campaigns in the Himalayas and Alps will involve systematic sampling of landslide deposits, while laboratory analyses will quantify grain-size distributions, particle shape, and related properties. Remote sensing techniques will be employed to track the sediment plume and quantify erosion/deposition volumes. These data will directly parameterise and validate the landscape evolution model. The parameterised model will then simulate channel network evolution in response to sediment pulses under different future climate scenarios. The outcomes will bridge fluvial geomorphology, sedimentology, and climate science, providing a predictive framework for understanding river sensitivity to landslide-driven sediment pulses under changing environmental conditions.

We Offer

• Fully funded positions for the standard Ph.D. study period (up to 4 years).
• A monthly salary based on a 0.7 FTE research assistant position + doctoral scholarship from the university.
• The opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary research project funded by a prestigious national grant.
• Employment in a dynamic, international, and well-equipped department at a leading European university.
• Opportunities for international collaboration, fieldwork in the Alps and Himalayas, and participation in international conferences.
• Opportunities for professional development.
  

Candidate Profile

We are looking for motivated candidates with a strong interest in surface processes.

• Education: A Master’s degree in Geology, Geomorphology, Physical Geography, Remote Sensing and GIS, Earth Sciences, or any other relevant discipline.
• Essential Skills: Strong background and interest in landslide processes, fluvial geomorphology, or landscape evolution. Proficiency in Remote Sensing and GIS software. Willingness to participate in fieldwork in challenging mountainous terrain. Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Desirable Skills: Experience with scientific programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R) and geomorphic analysis tools (e.g., TopoToolbox) is a great advantage.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit the following documents to Dr. Sumit Das (sumit.das@natur.cuni.cz) with a cc to Dr. Gianvito Scaringi (gianvito.scaringi@natur.cuni.cz). The subject line must clearly indicate your chosen topic: "[PhD Application-Topic 1 or 2] Landslide Dynamics".

1. Motivation Letter (max. 2 pages): Clearly mention your choice of Topic 1 or Topic 2 at the top of the letter. Briefly describe your personal motivation for applying to this specific doctoral position. Detail your relevant skills, qualifications, and research interests. Explain how your existing knowledge and skills make you the most suitable candidate for the position. Please don’t use any generative AI software; write your own words.
2. Comprehensive CV: Must include detailed academic records, any previous research experience, fieldwork experience, MSc thesis title (if available), publications (if available), and technical skills.
3. M.Sc. degree certificate or proof that you will be graduating soon.
4. Names and contacts of two references who could provide a letter of recommendation, one of whom must be the M.Sc. thesis supervisor. We assume we have permission to contact them if you are shortlisted.
5. The Assignment: This document should contain the results of the two tasks described below. Mention your name at the top of this document.
   

Assignment

As part of the selection process, applicants are required to complete the following two tasks. This assignment will help us assess your technical and analytical skills.

• Task 1. Map Panel: Prepare a single panel of two maps for any region within the Himalayas. (a) Elevation Map: An elevation map showing topographic variation. All major rivers should be plotted on the map with their names clearly labelled. Elevation variation must be indexed with a colorbar. (b) Slope Map: A slope map of the exact same region, complete with a proper index. Provide a detailed caption for the panel explaining the data source, the region, and the key features shown.
• Task 2. Graph Panel: Prepare a single panel of four graphs. You can use any dataset of your choice (e.g., topographic swath profiles, river longitudinal profiles, precipitation data, grain-size distributions, simple-scatter plot data, etc.). Create four well-designed graphs. Provide a detailed caption for the panel explaining the data and the purpose of each graph.

Submission Details for the Assignment:

Submit these two figures (the map panel and the graph panel) in a single document. Include a brief description of how you prepared them, which software you used (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Python, R), and which data you considered. If you used programming to plot the graphs, please provide the code (as a separate .txt or .py file).



For any further information about the positions, please contact Dr. Sumit Das (sumit.das@natur.cuni.cz).

Charles University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community.