PhD Studentship: Road gully design for environmental performance and infrastructure resilience in a changing climate, PhD (Funded)

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship co-funded by the partner Hydro International and University of Exeter Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, to commence on 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This PhD project aims to develop advanced, climate change resilient road gully grating designs that enhance efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability, while addressing cost constraints and net zero objectives. It will include an in-depth review of shortcomings in current design, based on literature review and field studies, and innovative design strategies will be developed that incorporate corrosion-resistant materials, optimised configurations, and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as water levels, discharge, temperature, and pollution levels. Prototypes of the new designs will be constructed and validated through both laboratory and field experiments, and computational fluid dynamics and numerical modelling will be used to simulate performance under varying runoff scenarios, pollution loads and climate conditions.

By developing advanced road gully designs with improved hydraulic performance and pollution capture and reduced blockage risk, the research will enhance the efficiency of urban drainage systems and help mitigate flooding and pollution impacts. Improvements made will also reduce maintenance demands and extend asset lifespans, contributing to environmental and financial benefits. Integration of smart sensors will also transform gullies into IoT-enabled assets, enabling real-time monitoring and supporting development of digital twins for proactive infrastructure management. These innovations will not only improve flood response and traffic safety but also aid in environmental monitoring and pollution control.

The outcomes will shape into practical guidelines and recommendations for policymakers and engineers to support adoption of the new designs in urban planning and infrastructure projects, thus leading the transition to next-generation gully systems that provide enhanced environmental performance and infrastructure resilience in a changing climate.

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in Centre for Water Systems in Engineering Department in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy and spend most of their time at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Research on this project will be desk-based and will require programming skills. It will suit those who are creative and open to new ideas. Occasional visit to a case study area may be needed, though no field work is planned.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit.

Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for UK fees and UKRI equivalent Stipend. International students must be able to demonstrate they are able pay the difference between UK and overseas fees.

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

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