EPSRC FIBE3 CDT Studentship: Lower Carbon Concrete

About the role

This is a four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) studentship funded through the Cambridge EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE3 CDT), in collaboration with National Highways. It focuses on derisking the rapid adoption of lower carbon concrete in UK infrastructure, using digitally enhanced experimental work and multi-physics modelling to compare new binder combinations against current design standards.

Key responsibilities

• Quantify how lower carbon concrete combinations align with current design standards.
• Identify promising multi-component binder concretes (e.g. limestone, calcined clay, fly ash and GGBS) that need testing to address knowledge gaps.
• Carry out comprehensive experimentation and theoretical investigations to support service-life modelling.
• Use digital experiments and multi-physics modelling to set limits on proportion and composition thresholds.

Required profile

• At least a high 2.1 degree, preferably a 1st class degree, in engineering, science or a related discipline, preferably at Master's level.
• Previous expertise in concrete materials is desirable.
• Fully-funded studentships (fees and maintenance) are initially available only to eligible home students; a limited number of international students may be considered later.

Applications are made online through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal, with a £20 application fee; early applications are strongly encouraged.