PhD Studentship on Extreme Weather Implications for Concrete Behaviour
Investigating the durability of low-carbon concrete under severe climate conditions for resilient infrastructure.
Best for:Best for engineering or science graduates with a strong academic background and an interest in sustainable infrastructure materials.
Overview
This four-year integrated MRes/PhD studentship is offered through the Cambridge EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE3 CDT) in partnership with National Highways. The research examines how escalating climate extremes and lower-carbon cement mixtures interact, addressing both climate change mitigation and infrastructure adaptation. The successful candidate will employ advanced digital measurements, physical experimentation, and predictive modeling techniques to evaluate material performance and trade-offs. The researcher is expected to produce actionable insights that guide sustainable construction practices and future-proof transport networks.
What you'll do
- Design and execute concrete characterization experiments under controlled and accelerated exposure environments.
- Utilize advanced digital measurement techniques to monitor microstructural and macro-scale changes.
- Develop and apply macro-scale, micro-scale, and physics-informed predictive models using artificial intelligence tools.
- Conduct comprehensive, evidence-based trade-off analyses between material quality and embodied carbon.
- Collaborate with industrial partners including National Highways to translate findings into practical industry guidance.
Requirements
Degree required: BSc or Master's degree in engineering, sciences, or a relevant discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; standard University of Cambridge postgraduate English language requirements apply
Instruction: English
- Strong academic record with at least a high 2.1 or first-class degree
- Background in engineering, physical sciences, or a related technical discipline
- Aptitude for experimental materials research and data analysis
- Willingness to engage with computational and numerical modeling methods
- Fully-funded studentships are prioritized for eligible home students in the first instance
- Limited international student funding may be considered later in the recruitment process
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2027-04-30
Submit your application online through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal. Ensure you explicitly state the project title and the supervisor's name in your application materials, and pay the required application fee.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters
Contact
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