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.

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

<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 research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is Climate resilient smart bioengineered soils for sustainable future and Dr Shashank B. Subramanyam as your proposed supervisor <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/10412/dr-shashank-b-subramanyam">https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/10412/dr-shashank-b-subramanyam</a> </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>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.</p>

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 style="margin-bottom:11px">A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £19,237 academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided. </p>

<p>For further information please contact S.B.Subramanyam@leeds.ac.uk</p>