Climate resilient smart bioengineered soils for sustainable future

Soils with low shear strength are unable to stand under their own self weight or any overburden stress due to natural or anthropogenic activities. Slopes (e.g. embankments, mining pits/excavations, hill slopes etc.) formed with such soils are susceptible to ground movement and needs to be stabilised. Conventional ground improvement methods have a high carbon footprint, and affect native soil microbiota. Changes in climate due to global warming have led to the regular occurrence of more extreme weather conditions, including excessive rainfall and extended periods of drought. Vegetation and organic matter play a crucial role in the behaviour of the heterogenous soil mass, which is often termed uncertain.<br /> <br /> Engineering the interactions between the vegetation, organic matter, and soil mass, will lead to developing novel techniques to make our soils and hence the geotechnical structures climate resilient. This study will therefore focus on developing bio-based methods and techniques to make our soils and geotechnical structures more climate resilient. Further, this will also entail developing tools to model and predict the behaviour of such soils.<br />

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Civil Engineering</strong></em>, in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Climate resilient smart bioengineered soils for sustainable future </strong></em>and <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/10412/dr-shashank-b-subramanyam ">Dr Shashank B. Subramanyam</a> as your proposed supervisor. <em><strong>Please state in the Finance section that you are applying for the School of Civil Engineering Scholarship 2024/25 (UK) or School of Civil Engineering Fee Only Scholarship 2024/25 (International).</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p>Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Thursday 2 January 2025:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px"><strong>UK Only Studentship</strong></p> <p>A highly competitive School of Civil Engineering Studentship providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 in academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years. There are no additional allowances for travel, research expenses, conference attendance or any other costs.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p><strong>International Fee Only Studentship</strong></p> <p>A highly competitive School of Civil Engineering Fee Only Award offering the award of full academic fees for 3 years. There are no additional allowances for travel, research expenses, conference attendance or any other costs.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25).</p> <p><strong>Important:</strong> Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p><strong>You must be able to start by no later than 1 April 2025.</strong></p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Shashank B. Subramanyam by email to <a href="mailto:S.B.Subramanyam@leeds.ac.uk">S.B.Subramanyam@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>