In recent years, climate change and s consequences are gathering increasing attention in the scientific community. The influence of climate change on temperature is vastly discussed, meanwhile, the effects on other hydrometeorological variables are still to be thoroughly studied. The impact of climate change on precipitation patterns and, in particular, on extreme rainfall is the reason for concern since change in the frequency and intensity of these extremes may lead to flood events, landslides or simple malfunctioning of urban drainage systems. Comprehending this phenomenon could lead to a better design of protection infrastructures and improve risk mitigation strategies.The research aims:1) to identify any statistically significant trend in rainfall patterns and extreme rainfall, examining their spatial and temporal patterns2) to determine and detect which morphological and climatic variables are the main drivers of the variation in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events3) to assess how the change of precipitation patterns may change the hydrological risk from floods and drought on a regional scaleThe research will be carried out in the whole Italian Territory, however some particular case studies will be selected. One of these will be the Vatellina area in the Lombardy region.

The candidate will have to work with a team, so good skills in collaborating in a group are needed. English is required, Italian is welcome.

The research team will comprise professors from both the IUSS and the University of Pavia. Prof. Gabriella Petaccia, associate professor in Hydrology at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture and expert in flood propagation, will supervise the research, and Mario Martina, full professor in Hydrology at the IUSS and expert in risk modelling, will co-supervise the research. The activities will be carried out at both universities. This will provide a great opportunity to share ideas among colleagues and Ph.D. students