PhD Studentship: National Resources and Infrastructure: Mapping the Socio-technical Burden of Energy Transitions

This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). It is an interdisciplinary PhD in Engineering from the School of Engineering and from the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham.

This fully funded 3-year studentship is available only to UK nationals. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000, full-time home tuition fees paid, and £2,000 per year for consumables and travel. Funding from MTC requires passing their security checks before starting the PhD.

The PhD Project

With under 25 years to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, it is crucial to focus on actions with the greatest climate impact. Even established technologies like offshore wind farms can take up to 15 years from planning to completion, often delayed by financial, labour, and infrastructure constraints.

Government targets and roadmaps typically use top-down approaches to predict infrastructure growth by sector. Previous research (Link) showed that these methods tend to overestimate outcomes for UK energy projects, while bottom-up approaches give more realistic projections. This issue may help explain challenges in delivering major UK projects like Hinkley Point C.

This project will build on the initial model to identify bottlenecks in UK infrastructure deployment, relating them to government policy and targets. The model will be based on past transport and energy sector transitions and applied to the clean energy transition. On completion, the student will gain expertise in infrastructure planning, net zero strategies, and supply chain management for large-scale projects.

Who we are looking for

We welcome candidates from various backgrounds for this interdisciplinary project, especially those interested in historical approaches, systems thinking, sustainability, and policy.

• Applicants should have a first or upper-second-class degree in a relevant field (such as Engineering, History, Geography, Technology Studies, or Policy)
• Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python or Matlab) or a willingness to learn is preferred
• Willingness to make occasional trips to historical archives in the UK
• Ability to produce high-quality presentations and written reports

Candidates with unconventional academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate their suitability for the project.

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) focused on accelerating disruptive technologies in UK manufacturing. Supported by the government, it partners with industry and research bodies to drive innovation across all UK manufacturing sectors, from SMEs to large global manufacturers. For details, visit the MTC website.

At Birmingham, researchers benefit from excellent people, facilities, and collaboration. As a top 100 global university, Birmingham addresses major global challenges and positively impacts lives. The University Graduate School supports both PGR and PGT students, fostering an interdisciplinary community and providing access to high-quality support and advice for an outstanding postgraduate experience.

Contact

Informal inquiries should be sent to Dr Andrew Garrick at a.j.h.garrick@bham.ac.uk or Dr Hiroki Shin h.shin@bham.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 27th February 2026.

Proposed PhD Start Date: 5th October 2026.

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