UK Bridges Moving Under Climate Change: Data-Driven Assessment of Corrosion Risk

PGR-P-2530

Key facts

Type of research degree: PhD
Application deadline: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Project start date: Monday 1 February 2027
Country eligibility: UK only
Funding: Competition funded
Source of funding: Doctoral training partnership
Supervisors: Dr Francesco Pugliese
Additional supervisors: Dr Michal Drewniok
Schools: School of Civil Engineering

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing UK infrastructure. Bridges keep people, goods and services moving every day: they support commuting, emergency access, freight, public transport and local economies. However, many bridges were designed for environmental conditions that are now changing. More intense rainfall, longer wet periods, temperature changes, wet-dry cycling and coastal exposure can all influence corrosion in reinforced concrete and steel bridge components. Bridge inspections tell us what condition an asset is in today. They can record cracking, corrosion, section loss, coating deterioration and other signs of damage. But an important question remains: will the same observed condition mean the same future risk under climate change? This PhD will develop data-driven and uncertainty-informed methods to understand how climate change may affect corrosion deterioration in UK bridge infrastructure. The project will combine civil engineering, climate data, deterioration modelling, uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis to identify which climate-related factors are most important for future corrosion risk. The project will move beyond simply asking “how much deterioration might occur?” and instead ask: which climate driver is controlling future deterioration risk, and when does that change how engineers should interpret current condition evidence? The student will investigate climate-related exposure variables such as wetness duration, humidity, temperature, wet-dry cycling and chloride-related coastal exposure. These will be connected to corrosion deterioration in reinforced concrete and steel components using computational modelling, probabilistic methods and data-driven analysis.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

The PhD will address questions such as: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> Which climate variables most strongly influence corrosion risk in UK bridge components? </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> Do the main deterioration drivers differ between inland and coastal environments? </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> Do reinforced concrete and steel components respond differently to changing climate exposure? </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> How can uncertainty in climate projections, deterioration models and inspection evidence be represented clearly? </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> When might climate-informed assessment give a different interpretation from standard condition-based assessment? </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem"> How can complex climate-risk evidence be communicated in a way that supports engineering judgement? </li> </ul> The project will develop transparent methods and evidence that help engineers understand why some bridge components may need closer attention under future climate conditions. Expected outputs include climate-relevant deterioration indicators, driver-ranking methods, uncertainty diagnostics, prototype interpretation maps and reusable computational workflows. The research will contribute to the urgent challenge of making UK infrastructure more resilient, sustainable and prepared for the future. The project will also be informed by practitioner perspectives from the UK infrastructure sector, including Network Rail, helping to ensure that the research addresses real challenges in the inspection, assessment and climate-resilient management of ageing bridge assets. Why apply? This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated UK Home student to work on a PhD with clear real-world relevance: how do we keep existing bridges safe, reliable and resilient under climate change? The project is ideal for a student who wants to combine civil engineering with climate adaptation, data-driven modelling and infrastructure resilience. It will provide training in highly transferable skills, including: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> climate-data interpretation for engineering applications; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> probabilistic deterioration modelling; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> Python or similar computational tools; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> uncertainty quantification; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> surrogate modelling and sensitivity analysis; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> infrastructure risk assessment; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="7" role="listitem"> communication of technical evidence for decision-making. </li> </ul> The successful candidate will join the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds and work within the Materials and Structures Research Group. The project will connect with expertise in structural engineering, infrastructure deterioration, resilience, sustainability and climate-adaptive assessment. This PhD is particularly suitable for students interested in: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> climate change and infrastructure; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> bridges and transport networks; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> ageing infrastructure and asset management; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> corrosion of reinforced concrete and steel; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> data-driven engineering; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> risk, uncertainty and resilience; </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem"> sustainable infrastructure systems. </li> </ul> The student will receive support to publish in high-quality journals, present at national and international conferences and develop a strong interdisciplinary profile. The project will also help the student build skills relevant to careers in academia, infrastructure consultancy, asset management, transport infrastructure, climate-risk analysis, digital engineering and public-sector infrastructure resilience. The student will have opportunities, where appropriate, to engage with practitioner perspectives from the UK infrastructure sector, including Network Rail, strengthening the real-world relevance and career value of the PhD. This is a PhD for someone who wants to work on a real engineering problem with societal value: helping the UK make better decisions about ageing infrastructure in a changing climate.

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

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. • For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. • The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year. • You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select EPSRC DLA (Engineering, Biological Sciences, Medicine). • The project start date for this project is 1 February 2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. • Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is UK Bridges Moving Under Climate Change: Data-Driven Assessment of Corrosion Risk as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/15284/dr-francesco-pugliese">Dr Francesco Pugliese</a> as your proposed supervisors. Please state in the finance section that the funding that you are applying for is EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Civil Engineering. 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. 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. 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: <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> If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). 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.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

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.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

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.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

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. 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. 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. Eligibility Criteria <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> 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. Other Conditions <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>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please do contact the project supervisor, Dr Francesco Pugliese by emailing <a href="mailto:F.Pugliese@leeds.ac.uk">F.Pugliese@leeds.ac.uk</a> 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>.

<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h3>