Data-Driven Environmental Assessment of Next-Generation Concrete

One full/ partial scholarship is available in the School of Civil Engineering in 2026/27. This scholarship is open to international applicants and covers Home (UK) fees plus maintenance at the UKRI rate of £21,805 for 3.5 years.<br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to materials science and engineering.<br /> <br /> The School of Civil Engineering invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the EPSRC DLA/School Scholarship.

<p paraeid="{5c990fd3-b7f6-4435-9d3a-92e7192edbfe}{36}" paraid="2051254048">There are significant advancements in low-carbon concrete technologies incorporating novel binders, supplementary cementitious materials and beneficiated waste. Existing life cycle inventory (LCI) databases often lack the detailed performance parameters required to evaluate their sustainability potential and optimise the concrete mix design accordingly. </p> <p paraeid="{5c990fd3-b7f6-4435-9d3a-92e7192edbfe}{50}" paraid="275737515">This PhD project will develop the next generation of data-driven LCA tools for concrete by expanding two existing research databases (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061822026745" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Pre-BCC</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710223002012" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Opt-BCC</a>) with new mix designs, materials and environmental datasets. The project will incorporate detailed mineralogical and chemical compositions of low-carbon and recycled cementitious materials alongside aggregate characterisation parameters and admixture properties, creating one of the most comprehensive datasets of its kind. </p> <p paraeid="{5c990fd3-b7f6-4435-9d3a-92e7192edbfe}{76}" paraid="495069212">The student will combine concrete technology, data science and life cycle assessment to develop robust methods for predicting the environmental performance of novel concrete mixtures and explore machine learning techniques to optimise the concrete mix design accordingly. The successful candidate will gain expertise in sustainable construction materials, environmental assessment, database development and computational modelling, contributing to the development of digital tools that support the transition towards net-zero construction. </p> <p paraeid="{5c990fd3-b7f6-4435-9d3a-92e7192edbfe}{92}" paraid="625572701">The successful candidate will join the <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering-research-innovation" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">School of Civil Engineering</a> at the University of Leeds, one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities and home to a vibrant community of postgraduate researchers. The School has an international reputation for delivering world-leading research that addresses major societal challenges, including climate change, sustainable infrastructure and the circular economy. The project will be based within the School's <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering-materials-structures" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Materials and Structures</a> research theme, which undertakes internationally recognised research in low-carbon cement and concrete technologies, infrastructure durability, structural health monitoring and life-cycle assessment of infrastructure.  </p> <p paraeid="{5c990fd3-b7f6-4435-9d3a-92e7192edbfe}{122}" paraid="732015733">In addition to specialist research training, the successful candidate will become part of the Leeds Doctoral College, benefiting from a comprehensive programme of professional development, interdisciplinary training, career support and networking opportunities throughout their PhD.  </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'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 DLA (Engineering, Biological Sciences, Medicine)</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> 1 February 2027</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>​Data-Driven Environmental Assessment of Next-Generation Concrete</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering-materials-structures/staff/13420/hisham-hafez">Dr. Hisham Hafez</a><strong> </strong>as your proposed supervisors.</p> <p><strong>Please state in the finance section that the funding that you are applying for is EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Civil Engineering.</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, 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 Wednesday 30 September 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 Wednesday 30 September 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>

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>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award, 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 Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is 2 funded places available, however, this project is in competition with 3 other projects for this funding.  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>You will also be automatically considered for a School of Civil Engineering Scholarship. </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 February 2027, 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, Dr Hisham Hafez by emailing <a href="mailto:H.Hafez@leeds.ac.uk">H.Hafez@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>