Development of Digital Twin for Utilities and Built Environment

This PhD project aims to develop a Digital Twin for utilities and built environment applications. Digital Twin Technology which involves creating a virtual representation of physical assets and systems, enabling real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimisation are increasingly used in various industry sectors, such as energy, transportation, civil/infrastructure/construction/built environment, aviation, agriculture, retail, government, medical devices, etc. This PhD project will be conducted within active groups within the School of Civil Engineering, collaborating with the Doctoral College interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary researchers within other groups and institutes (Energy Leeds, Cities, Infrastructure and Energy, Centre for Integrated Energy Research, Computational Science and Engineering, Materials and Structures, Water, Public Health and Environmental Engineering, Institute for Transport Studies, Centre for Global Development, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, Centre for Computational Engineering, etc) and schools at the University of Leeds.<br /> <br /> Digital Twin (DT) is changing how engineering design, planning, manufacturing, operation, simulation, forecasting and traditional functioning are done. Digital twin technology is a digital replica or representation of a physical object/product or process as an intangible system that can be examined, altered and tested without interacting with it in the real world and avoiding negative consequences. This technology is vital to sustainable engineering and used by engineers to design, create, test, operate and alter objects that are based in reality, without engaging with them in the real world. Digital Twin is a bridge between the digital world and the physical world. This concept has robust applications in engineering and industry as it has much more potential, power, and scalability that are currently used to replicate, monitor and test virtually anything one can think of.

<p>The PhD project presents the opportunity for the successful candidate to conduct research in specialist subject areas (Digital Twin Technology, Systems Engineering, Digital Modelling, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence) and their application to Engineering to deliver solutions to utilities and built environment challenges. Creating a digital representation of the University structures and utilities can significantly achieve energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, operational optimisation, etc while saving cost. Therefore, this PhD project aims to create an accurate and efficient digital twin that can be used for operating and predicting utilities (e.g., electricity, water, gas, HVAC, waste management, etc) energy consumption patterns, utilities performance and optimisation with the use of the data analytics and artificial intelligence.</p> <p>This research project focuses on core Digital Twin Technology development at the component and system level, demonstrating system-level technology, developing and exploiting systems and collaborating with industry partners to design, integrate and industrialise Digital Twin technology and systems. The developed Digital Twin will be used to optimise performance, through the analysis of data and the monitoring of systems to prevent issues before they occur and prevent downtime.</p> <p>We also welcome applicants to submit their own research proposal.<br />  </p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>Application type</strong> please select <strong>Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate</strong>. <br /> •    The admission year for this project is <strong>2027/28</strong> Academic Year. <br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>Planned Course of Study</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>PHP Civil Engineering Full Time.</strong> <br /> •    The project start date for this project is <strong>1 October 2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the<strong> Research Information Section</strong> that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Development of Digital Twin for Utilities and Built Environment</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/10222/professor-paul-eke">Professor Paul Eke</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance section</strong>, <strong>the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored</strong>.</p> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</p> <p>We will assess applications continuously as we receive them. We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early.</p> <p><strong>If you are applying with external sponsorship or you are funding your own study, please ensure you provide your supporting documents at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including the grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <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>

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>This is a non funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self funded or to secure external funding.</p> <p>You can find out more about our Funding Opportunities on our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/">Postgraduate Research Opportunities</a> website.</p> <p><strong>Important: </strong>Please note that all costs associated with your arrival at Leeds (<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>For further information about your application, including how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:epspgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">epspgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about this project, please contact <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/10222/professor-paul-eke">Professor Paul Eke</a> by email to <a href="mailto:p.e.eke@leeds.ac.uk">p.e.eke@leeds.ac.uk</a><br />  </p>