Estimating and Projecting Population Exposure to Extreme Sea Levels

PhD position

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Maynooth University is delighted to announce a PhD scholarship opportunity for a highly motivated and suitably qualified candidate wishing to begin their PhD studies.

This interdisciplinary project focuses on estimating and projecting population exposure to extreme sea levels (ESLs) in low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ) across Ireland. By combining advanced methods in small-area population estimation with dynamic modelling of population movements, the project aims to generate new insights into climate-induced migration and its implications for both coastal and inland communities.

Project Objectives:

Enhanced Population Exposure Assessment

Refine and improve current methodologies for evaluating population exposure to sea-level rise and ESL events at small-area levels. This includes accounting for spatial disparities and demographic variations to better support climate adaptation and planning efforts.

Assessment of Climate-Induced Migration Trends

Analyze patterns and drivers of internal migration in Ireland, with a focus on potential displacement caused by rising sea levels. The project will forecast future trends in climate-related migration and assess their implications for infrastructure and social planning in inland areas.

This research will play a critical role in informing coastal vulnerability assessments, flood-defense infrastructure planning, and the preparedness of inland areas for accommodating displaced populations.