Project Ref: JWS2023-GG
Construction supply chains directly contribute to the high carbon footprint of a construction project. With the construction industry thriving towards ‘net-zero’, to deliver carbon-neutral projects, a project requires a reliable platform to record and track accurate embodied carbon data when monitoring the carbon footprint within its supply chains. BIM has a critical role in the integration of carbon data in a construction project by acting as a centralised database for all stakeholders within the supply chain to record and monitor their carbon footprint. However, when a BIM model is updated to show the real-time state of construction progress, data from a BIM model is vulnerable to overwriting. Therefore, when using BIM for accountable information sharing, any overwritten actions should be recorded securely and historically in a tamper-proof manner and shared traceably. Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology that offers a platform to improve the transparency of BIM by allowing changes made to the data to be tracked reliably, greater granularity in the allocation of permissions and improved security. However, such a BIM-enabled platform does not exist currently in the construction industry for embodied carbon tracking within the supply chains. To address this, the proposed research will focus on how Blockchain technology can be utilised to better calculate, track, and report on the reduction of the carbon footprint across the entire supply chain. The outcome of the project may result in a proof-of-concept BIM-enabled Blockchain platform that provides instant authentication, verification of real-time data, and clear data records capturing carbon measurement into an immutable ledger facilitating audit trails, traceability, security, and accountability of embodied carbon data across the entire supply chain of a project.
Eligibility
This scholarship is available to Home and Overseas students. The successful candidate will be based on campus in Edinburgh.
To be eligible, applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent experience. Scholarships will be awarded by competitive merit, taking into account the academic ability of the applicant.
We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.
How to apply
To apply you must complete our online application form.
Please select PhD Construction as the programme and include the full project title, reference number (JWS2023-GG) and supervisor name on your application form. You will also need to provide a CV, a supporting statement (1-5 A4 pages) outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project, a copy of your degree certificate(s) and relevant transcripts and an academic reference.
You must also provide proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue or if you have not already completed a degree that was taught in English within the last 2 years). We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0 or a TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 90 points.
Please address informal questions to Dr Godawatte Godawatte ([Email Address Removed])
If you have any general queries about the applications process, please contact [Email Address Removed]
Timeline
The closing date for applications is 17th April 2023 and applicants must be available to start in September 2023.
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