Optimising resilience and sustainability of structures through developing new-era fire engineering performance design exemplars

This fully funded PhD provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in performance-based fire engineering for buildings, improving life safety, structural robustness and low-carbon design decisions. The School of Civil Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for this EPSRC-University / Industry co-funded scholarship in collaboration with BB7, a leading fire engineering and building consultancy.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px">The research aims to create a performance-based fire engineering framework focused on sustainability, resilience, and structural fire protection in buildings. The main themes include:</p> <p><strong>1. Sustainability: </strong>Addressing the tension between sustainability and fire safety, particularly in the context of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and green building technologies. The goal is to optimise fire protection systems while minimising environmental impact.</p> <p><strong>2. Structural Fire Protection:</strong> Evaluating the fire performance of various construction materials and systems, such as timber framing and lightweight steel. The research aims to improve passive fire protection measures and develop best practices for integrating green features without compromising safety.</p> <p><strong>3. Resilience:</strong> Enhancing life safety and structural robustness through advanced evacuation models and risk assessment methods. This encompasses considering diverse occupant capabilities and integrating dynamic guidance systems for improved evacuation outcomes. Additionally, the inclusion of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling helps analyse smoke and tenability conditions, further strengthening resilience in fire scenarios.</p> <p><strong>4. Interdisciplinary Approach:</strong> Collaborating with experts in fire engineering, material science, and human behaviour to create practical tools and policies that promote safer, sustainable designs.</p> <p>Overall, the research seeks to deliver effective, real-world solutions that align with emerging construction methods and sustainability goals while ensuring enhanced fire safety.</p> <p>Further information about research within the School of Civil Engineering can be found here:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering-research-degrees">School of Civil Engineering</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong></p> <ul> <li>All applications will be considered after the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.</li> <li>The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.</li> <li>Applicants will be e-mailed within six weeks of the deadline to confirm the outcome.</li> <li>The University will publish the names of the successful applicants within the University and externally on the University website within eight weeks of the relevant scholarship closing date.</li> </ul>

<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's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Appli</strong><strong>cation type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year</strong>. <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>EPSRC DTP – Engineering</strong>’. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> 1 October 2026</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Optimising resilience and sustainability of structures through developing new-era fire engineering performance design exemplars</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/600/professor-nikolaos-nikitas"><strong>Professor Nikolaos Nikitas</strong></a> as your proposed supervisor.</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, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</p> <p>Applications will be reviewed and assessed after the closing date of Tuesday 30 June 2026. 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>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Tuesday 30 June 2026 or 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 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>

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a UK 2:1 honours Bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a subject relating to your proposed area of research, or a good performance in a Master's level course in a relevant subject. A first class honours degree (or equivalent) is usually required to be competitive for scholarship funding and a Master's degree is also a valuable asset. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or PGR Admissions Team 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="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px">A highly competitive EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award, in collaboration with BB7, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £21,805 for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is 1 funded place available.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please visit the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJ.S.Hewer%40leeds.ac.uk%7C07632c93c06a442dca3d08ddfc172939%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638943898649349324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nylGSov8jOc7hr6X%2FmfnfQPecbVUnGqgoSqVgPGy5K0%3D&reserved=0">UKCISA</a> website or our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a> regarding fee status for Non-UK nationals.</p> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.  </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026, or soon after that. </li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please do contact the project supervisor, Professor Nikolaos Nikitas by emailing <a href="mailto:N.Nikitas@leeds.ac.uk">N.Nikitas@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p>For further information about your application, including how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by emailing <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>