PhD Studentship: Dowel-laminated Bamboo: A New-generation, Minimally-transformed Engineered Bamboo Product

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Award value: Home fees and tax-free stipend - See advert for details

Start date: 05 October 2026 

Project Title: Dowel-laminated Bamboo: a new-generation, minimally-transformed engineered bamboo product

Abstract:

Join our research into this low-carbon, -cost and -capital technology with the potential to improve housing for millions in low- and middle-income countries. Dowel-laminated bamboo delivers a regularised section without incurring in the high waste, cost and glue-content of other engineered bamboo products, yet its possibilities have been underestimated and hence scantly researched or developed. This project will characterise its behaviour, explore its possibilities and optimise its performance.

Project Detail:
Bamboo is a strong, fast-growing renewable resource, making it an ideal regenerative material with significant potential for Net Zero construction. However, despite their low carbon footprint and cost, bamboo poles are challenging to use, labour-intensive, and have limited scope of application. Engineered bamboo products (EBPs) are simple to use but expensive due to extensive processing. Intermediate technologies, such as dowel-laminated bamboo (DLB) offer a simple yet low-capital alternative. The PhD candidate will first work to characterise DLB, then optimise its performance whilst exploring potential developments in construction. The process will require working closely with stakeholders in South America and/or Southeast Asia.

Scholarship:

The award will cover the UK tuition fee level, plus a tax-free stipend, currently £21,300, paid at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years of full-time study.

Eligibility:

The candidate should have a good 2.1 MEng or MSc degree in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Humanitarian Engineering or equivalent. Applicants will be expected to undertake significant experimental work, as well as analytical and/or numerical analyses, and may be required to spend a period of time working with manufacturers overseas. Experience in any of the following will be beneficial:

• Lab-based experimental work
• Woodwork, carpentry or other workshop activities
• CAD and finite element analysis How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a full formal application, guidance and the application form via the above ‘Apply’ button.

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