PhD Research Project

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PhD Studentship - The resilience of UK critical infrastructures to the impact of soil-related geohazards

Institution:

Cranfield University

Dept/School/Faculty:

School of Applied Sciences

PhD Supervisor:

Dr S Hallett

Co-Supervisor:

Dr T Farewell

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

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Funded by EPSRC and led by Oxford University the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium offers a PhD studentship at Cranfield, with up to £13,590 p.a. available for three years, UK/EU fees included*

UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC)
National Infrastructure (NI) provides the foundation for economic productivity and human well-being, and is the cornerstone of modern industrialised society. It shapes many of the interactions between human civilisation and the natural environment. However, in the UK and other advanced economies, NI faces a range of serious challenges.

Within a wider consortium project, Cranfield University’s National Soil Resources Institute (NSRI) requests applications for a Doctoral studentship to conduct research to establish the key mechanisms and priorities for soil-related hazards (such as shrink-swell and sub-surface subsidence) on the potential failure of critical infrastructure. The project is concerned with the physical infrastructures that interact with the soil system and support the energy, transport, water supply and wastewater sectors. Understanding the impacts of soil geohazards is key to assessing the potential failure of infrastructure systems, the knock-on effects within infrastructure networks, infrastructure vulnerabilities and resilience and hazard-impact response in a changing climate. The research topic will seek to address these requirements by developing a national framework methodology and critical assessment of soil-related geohazards. It will also involve developing a series of representative case-study assessments of soil-related impact on critical infrastructure in selected sectors to support and expand the outcomes of the research. This will involve engagement with representatives from the relevant sectors to gather evidence.

The position would suit a candidate with soil physics/earth-science and/or geotechnical engineering skills and will involve working alongside a broad range of industrial and academic partners concerned with the impacts of the future environment on national infrastructure.

For further details, please contact Dr Stephen Hallett (s.hallett@cranfield.ac.uk) or Dr Tim Farewell (t.s.farewell@cranfield.ac.uk). To learn more about the work of NSRI, see www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/nsri. The ITRC project is described at http://www.itrc.org.uk/.

Closing date for applications is 12 October 2012.
Anticipated Start date: Autumn/Winter 2012

Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related subject such as soil or earth science and geotechnical engineering skills.

Funding Notes:

Funding
*Supported by Oxford University and EPSRC, this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Non UK/EU students will have to pay the remainder of their tuition fees up front before commencing their studies. Applicants are also eligible for a bursary of up to £13,590 p.a. for the duration of the award dependent upon qualifications and experience