Funded PhD Studentship: Sediment and Lagoons Integrated Computer Modelling

*This scholarships is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.*

Swansea University is a UK top 30 institution for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014), and has been named Welsh University of the Year 2017 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay (TLSB) is a world first “pathfinder” project to provide tidal power for the Swansea Bay region. The Hendry Review was published in January 2017 and states: “I believe that the evidence is clear that tidal lagoons can play a cost effective role in the UK’s energy mix”

This PhD will consider the movement of sediment in and around the lagoon structure. Understanding these processes is key to prediction of habitat change, to the estimate of the dredging requirements and also impacts water quality. However, computational models of sediment transport are still an active research area and requires a significant, multi-faceted research programme to fully understand.

The project team propose the use of the DELFT coastal area modelling tools (open source) to create a detailed, high-resolution, three dimensional coupled tidal/sediment transport model of the Bristol Channel and Swansea Bay area. This data will be used to predict coastline evolution on short term, annual and multi-decadal timescales.

Scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners including SME’s and micro companies, as well as public and third sector organisations. The scholarship provides 3 years of funding with a 6 month period to complete the thesis. The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 60 credit award.

Eligibility:

Candidates should have a 2.1 or above in their undergraduate degree in engineering or a related subject. They should also be eligible for UK/EU Fees.