PhD studentship – Climate change impacts on infrastructure earthworks

Application details
Reference number: ABCE19/Achilles
Start date of studentship: 1 October 2019
Closing date of advert: 29 May 2019
Interview date: w/c 10 June

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Dr Alister Smith
Secondary supervisor(s): Dr Ashraf El-Hamalawi and Dr Tom Dijkstra

Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering was ranked first for research environment in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning, with 95% of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its influence on society, the economy and policy. A key part of the School’s ethos is the extensive links with industry.

Full Project Detail
Are you interested in how climate change is impacting the infrastructure we all rely on in our daily lives? These critical infrastructures, including roads, railways, flood defences and pipelines, are built in or on the ground. There is growing evidence these soil structures are deteriorating due to seasonal weather cycles, leading to a reduction in performance of the assets and an increasing risk of failure. Importantly, our recent research indicates that rates of deterioration are expected to accelerate in the future due to climate change.

We are looking for a PhD student with a relevant science, geoscience or engineering background to undertake research on weather-driven deterioration mechanisms of engineered clay structures. You will be joining a large team of researchers from a consortium of UK universities and stakeholder organisations that are delivering the EPSRC ACHILLES Programme (research.ncl.ac.uk/achilles). This PhD project will focus on the deterioration mechanisms and behaviour of flood embankments. It will entail undertaking fieldwork, laboratory testing and modelling to investigate weather-driven deterioration mechanisms, including implications of a changing climate.

Find out more:
More information about the School can be found at: www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/abce/.

Entry requirements
Applicants will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. A relevant master’s degree and/or relevant employment experience will be an advantage.

Contact details
For information about the research project, please contact:

Name: Prof. Neil Dixon / Dr Alister Smith
Email address: [Email Address Removed] / [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 228 542 / +44 (0)1509 565 179

For information about the application process, please contact:

Name: Mr Berkeley Young
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 222 611

How to apply
All applications should be made online at www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/. Under programme name, please select Civil and Building Engineering.

Please quote reference number: ABCE19/Achilles