Location:
Department of Engineering, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon.
The University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences is inviting applications for a funded PhD studentship to commence in July 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £15,609 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.
Project Description:
The aim of this project is to develop novel and sustainable solutions for the construction sector, which is responsible for about 30% of the total UK energy consumption. UK housing stock exceeds 24 million units, more than 80% of which built before 1990 with very poor thermal insulation. Current insulation options are based on the use of oil-derived polymers or other energy-intensive materials (expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, rock wool). We intend to develop building panels produced with nearly 100% recycled or renewable (bio-based) materials, which not only will be carbon negative (i.e. will sequestrate CO2), but also will be able to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 25%.
Underpinning the concept will be the development of materials such as bio-based lightweight insulation core using vegetal fibres or other bio-based materials, bio-derived lime-based binder, low carbon cementitious materials such as alkali activated binders (AAB) - a novel class of cementitious material having 70% lower embodied carbon than OPC, whose constituents can be sourced from waste streams of several industrial processes.
The construction industry is a very conservative and ‘difficult to decarbonise’ sector. It has an economic output of £119 billion, representing more than 6% of UK GDP and employing over 2.4 million people (2019 data). The novel concepts developed in this project will give a significant impetus to sustainable manufacturing in the construction sector, as they will (a) deliver a novel product with negative carbon emission that can be adopted on a potential market of 20 million houses in the UK for retrofitting, and in the order of hundreds of thousands new dwellings; (b) promote circular economy and provide a viable recycling opportunity for a range of waste streams currently not recycled.
Mechanical and thermal parameters as well as durability properties of developed materials will be used for advanced numerical simulations of structural design and energy performance under changing climate conditions, aiming at a future-proof, carbon negative built environment.
Entry Requirements:
This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £15,609 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£20,600 per year) and no stipend.
International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.
The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.
Degree in Civil or Material Engineering is preferable, ideally at MEng level. Previous experiences in building materials development and testing is required.
If English is not your first language you will need to have achieved at least 6.0 in IELTS and no less than 6.0 in any section by the start of the project.
Alternative tests may be acceptable (see https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/)
How to apply
In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents. Please note our preferred format is PDF, each file named with your surname and the name of the document, eg. “Smith – CV.pdf”, “Smith – Cover Letter.pdf”, “Smith – Transcript.pdf”.
• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior project work experience and reasons for
wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an
interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email
the reference direct to [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English. Please see the entry requirements information above.
The closing date for applications is midnight on 8th June 2022.
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [Email Address Removed].
Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor at [Email Address Removed]
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