PhD Studentship: Automating earthworks construction and maintenance processes

Deterioration of earthworks slopes (cuttings and embankments), which support transport infrastructure and act as flood defences, is accelerating under increasing weather extremes resulting from global change, damaging critical infrastructure resilience.

This project is part of the prestigious Loughborough University Vice Chancellor’s PhD Cluster – RAINDROP (Resilient eArthwork INfrastructure: Diagnosis, RehabilitatiOn & Prognosis). The Doctoral Researcher (DR) will join a cohort of DRs who will be working on a series of interlinked, interdisciplinary projects for sustainable, intelligent, and climate change-resilient infrastructure slopes.

This PhD project will explore the potential role of automation in the construction and/or maintenance of earthworks, with the goal of developing a system-of-systems framework for the real-time control and delivery of, e.g., ‘printed’ geotechnical structures. The purpose is to remove workforces from hazardous environments, and to enhance the sustainability, speed, and quality of construction/maintenance processes. Key considerations include tracking soil from excavation through treatment, transport, placement, and testing, to produce digital records, optimising soil engineering properties in ‘real time’, and integrating soil construction with structural elements (e.g., soil nails, retaining structures, drains).

Feel free to reach out to the primary supervisor, Dr Ana Blanco, if you have any questions.

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class/high 2:1 degree in a relevant engineering or physical science discipline and must be self-motivated and enthusiastic about the project. A relevant master’s degree and/or employment experience will be an advantage.

English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Funding information:
The studentship is for three years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees. For part-time students, the stipend will be paid pro rata across the six-year duration.

This project is advertised as a fully funded studentship, subject to final approval by the University.

How to Apply:

All applications must be made online and must include a completed studentship application form (instead of a personal statement) and a two-page research proposal based on the project description outlining how you would approach the project and what methods you would use. Under programme name, please select 'Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering'. Please quote advert reference ABCE-RAINDROP-AB.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including an up-to-date CV, but a personal statement is not required.

ABCE will use these selection criteria to make a decision on your application.

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