Funded Ph.D. Studentship Positions at EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience

About the Centre for Doctoral Training

Globally, one in four cities is facing water stress, and the projected demand for water in 2050 is set to increase by 55%. Placing an inspirational student experience at the centre of our delivery model, the Water Infrastructure and Resilience Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) will nurture a new generation of research leaders to provide the multi-disciplinary, disruptive thinking to enhance the resilience of new and existing water infrastructure. In this context, the CDT will seek to improve the resilience of water infrastructure which conveys and treats water and wastewater as well as the impacts of water on other infrastructure systems which provide vital public services in urban environments.

The need for the CDT is simple: Water infrastructure is fundamental to our society and economy in providing benefit from water as a vital resource and in managing risks from water hazards, such as wastewater, floods, droughts, and environmental pollution. Recent water infrastructure failures caused by climate change have provided strong reminders of our need to manage these assets against the forces of nature. The need for resilient water systems has never been greater and more recognised in the context of our industrial infrastructure networks and facilities for water supply, wastewater treatment, and urban drainage. Similarly, safeguarding critical infrastructure in key sectors such as transport, energy, and waste from the impacts of water has never been more important.

Centred around unique and world-leading water infrastructure facilities, and building on an internationally renowned research consortium (Cranfield University, The University of Sheffield, and Newcastle University), the CDT will produce scientists and engineers to deliver the innovative and disruptive thinking for a resilient water infrastructure future. This will be achieved through the delivery of an inspirational and relevant and end user-led training programme for researchers.

Being a Ph.D. student in the WIRe programme is a special and unique experience, offering opportunities beyond most doctoral training. In return you will need to be fully committed to the CDT, attending an induction semester at Cranfield University (all students), a transferable skills programme, and a Summer Challenge (locations to be confirmed.

Our partners are drawn from a range of leading sector and professional organisations and have been selected to provide targeted contributions and added value to the CDT.

 

About the Funded Ph.D. Studentship Positions at EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience

Cohort IV projects are now open for applications for Ph.D. projects starting in October 2022. 60 eligible UK and EU Ph.D. students will be funded over the next five years.

Project Description

You will:

1. Tackle critical issues associated with our water infrastructure to make them more resilient to the effects of:

• climate change
• population growth
• changing water quality
• regulatory pressures

2. Develop solutions that consider the complexity of water infrastructure through whole systems thinking

3. Work on PhD projects that have been co-created with end-user partners

4. Study at one of three top universities for water research

• Cranfield University
• The University of Sheffield
• Newcastle University

5. Undertake an industrial placement & an overseas placement

6. Have hands-on training using large scale experimental facilities

7. Receive a stipend of £19,000 per year (with Fees paid) for eligible students

• Access to outstanding, world-leading experimental facilities: www.ukcric.com
• Develop multi-disciplinary skills
• Deliver cutting edge research with industry partners
• Develop effective communication strategies to disseminate your research

Project title	Host University / Supervisor	Enquire / Apply
Ceramic nanofiltration: Creating a resilient future for drinking water supply	Cranfield University Ewan McAdam	Apply here
Nanobubble technology: a chemical-free approach to improve the resilience of drinking water infrastructure	Cranfield University Dr Tao Lyu	Apply here
The potential to minimise Nitrogenous Disinfection By Products and their Toxicological Importance	Cranfield University Emma Goslan	Apply here
Intelligent Water Distribution Systems	University of Sheffield Joby Boxall	Apply here
Managing strategic infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water	University of Sheffield Joby Boxall	Apply here
Information Theoretic Sensor Placement and Monitoring to improve performance in complex Water and Sewer Network Infrastructure	University of Sheffield Simon Tait	Apply here
Understanding the risks associated with contaminated floodwater from urban drainage systems	University of Sheffield James Shucksmith	Apply here
Proactive management of dissolved organic carbon in catchments to mitigate climate change impacts on trihalomethanes formation in water treatment	Newcastle University David Werner	Apply here
Resilience to climate change and its impact on dissolved manganese concentration in water reservoirs	Newcastle University Anke Neumann	Apply here
Catchments as the first stage of treatment	Newcastle University David Werner	Apply here
Quantifying and Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Large Waste Water Treatment Plants	Newcastle University Tom Curtis	Apply here

 

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