PhD Studentship: Functional and Low Carbon Materials for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

The construction industry accounts for 8–10% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and faces significant challenges in achieving NetZero targets by 2050. This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation construction materials that are both low-carbon and climate-resilient. The research will focus on designing and testing  functional  materials—including alternative binders and aggregates—that incorporate waste-derived and industrial by-product materials while enhancing durability under environmental stressors such as freeze-thaw cycles, chemical exposure, and thermal fluctuations.

Key Objectives:

- Develop and characterize low-carbon materials with multi-functional properties
- Assess mechanical performance and long-term durability under simulated environmental conditions
- Optimize material formulations for scalability and field deployment

Candidate Requirements:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with:

- A background in civil engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, or a related field
- Strong laboratory skills and an interest in sustainable construction technologies
- Experience with cementitious materials, durability testing, or life cycle assessment is desirable
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities

Preferable start date: January 2026. The project will be supervised by Dr Sripriya Rengaraju (s.rengaraju@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes:

Funding is for a fully funded studentship for UK/home students – stipend and tuition coverage. Applications are also welcomed from international students who can cover the tuition difference through self-funding or external sources. International students interested in external funding such as common wealth fellowships, Schlumberger foundation, etc. are also welcome.

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