PhD Studentship Opportunity in The control of corrosion in cast iron trunk mains

This project will seek to develop methods to control the rate, type and extent of corrosion within buried trunk main over time. Laboratory studies will be used to assess the effectiveness of methods for reducing the rates of general and local corrosion within already degraded cast iron trunk main in service. The impact of applying corrosion control methods on the load capacity of the pipe wall material will also be assessed.

This forms part of an on-going programme of research into large diameter trunk water mains and trials of pipe condition assessment technology. The wider goal is to improve the sponsor’s ability to understand, predict and modify the condition of its water network for the purposes of ling term asset management, medium term investment targeting, and short term tactical planning and risk mitigation.

You will be based in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences here at the University of Surrey—within the Centre for Doctoral Training in Micro and NanoMaterials Technologies (MiNMaT). You will work closely with the research engineers based at the sponsor’s (Thames Water) Water Innovation Centre at Kempton Park Water Treatment Works in south-west London.

This is a 3.5 year project, commencing in October 2020.

Entry requirements:
First Class or an Upper Second in a Physical Science degree. IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band.

How to apply:
Please contact the Centre Manager, Noelle Hartley ([Email Address Removed]), in the first instance to lodge an expression of interest in the project. The Centre does not accept direct applications – it is important to contact the Centre Manager to discuss your interest at the earliest opportunity.

This project is part of the EPSRC CDT in MiNMaT. References are taken up at interview stage. The University reserves the right to close the advert if a suitable candidate is found.