PhD studentship in Systems Integration in Digitally Enabled Modular Building

Background: This PhD project seeks to address systems integration issues to increase the competitiveness and productivity of UK industry involved in digitally-enabled modular building; focusing on and working with the region of the UK between Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield, and with the companies, supply-base and institutions that constitute this region’s innovation system involved in the delivery of modular buildings. This region of the UK has a significant concentration of expertise in manufacturing and is home to Laing O’Rourke’s Explore Manufacturing factory, Rolls Royce, and the Manufacturing Technology Catapult Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) facilities. This work has the potential for significant impact as the UK industrial strategy highlights the potential for transforming construction, and the contribution of digital technologies (Building Information Modelling, Data Science, Robotics, etc) and advanced manufacturing approaches to achieve this. The PhD studentship is funded as part of a broader regional engagement award from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Role: This PhD studentship, at Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation www.imperial.ac.uk/csei at Imperial College London, requires empirical work in the Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield region. The successful candidate will have a good academic track-record and be able to show relevant knowledge and experience of regional innovation systems, the associated region of the UK and/or digitally enabled modular building. The PhD student will engage with research literatures and research communities related to systems engineering and innovation. Tasks associated with the PhD studentship are to:

1. Map systems integration activities across the regional supply chain;
2. Tailor emerging tools and processes for systems integration to the SMEs in this regional supply chain;
3. Monitor the use of tools by SMEs in the supply chain and further develop the generic toolkit; and
4. Pilot new tools for the visualization of systems in digitally-enabled modular building supply chains.

Academic requirements: Candidates should have a first degree at first class level (or upper second class with clear evidence of the capacity for first class work), Candidates will normally also have an appropriate Master’s degree in a relevant subject (at distinction or high merit level) or equivalent qualification. Industrial experience in manufacturing or engineering and knowledge of the Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield region are not pre-requisites, but would be advantageous.

The Award: The studentship will cover the full cost of Home/EU fees and provide an annual tax-free stipend of up to GBP 16,553 per annum, for 3 years.

How to apply:
Candidates should send the following material to [Email Address Removed]
• a CV
• copies of academic transcripts for all relevant degrees
• 2 references (either 2 academic references or 1 academic reference and 1 professional reference)

Application via the Imperial College Registry is not necessary at this stage however this would be a requirement for the successful candidate.

Closing date for applications: 15 June 2018.

Selection:
Short-listed candidates may be invited for interview.

Enquiries regarding the application process should be made to [Email Address Removed] Tel: +44-(0)207- 594-5031, www.imperial.ac.uk/csei

Enquiries regarding the academic content of the research should be made to Prof. Jennifer Whyte [Email Address Removed]