[Three-year studentship with a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus university tuition fees.]

This PhD studentship at Loughborough University offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the resilience of critical infrastructure by developing advanced sensing and AI-driven diagnostics for earthwork condition assessment and deterioration detection. The project is part of the Vice Chancellor’s PhD Cluster – RAINDROP (Resilient eArthwork INfrastructure: Diagnosis, RehabilitatiOn & Prognosis), a prestigious initiative focused on sustainable, intelligent, and climate change-resilient infrastructure slopes. As a Doctoral Researcher, you will join a cohort working on interlinked, interdisciplinary projects addressing the challenges posed by accelerating deterioration of earthworks slopes, which support transport infrastructure and serve as flood defences.

Current assessment methods for earthworks rely heavily on visual inspection, often missing subsurface deterioration and leading to unexpected failures. This research aims to revolutionize asset condition appraisal by integrating state-of-the-art sensors, monitoring technologies, and AI analytics. The goal is to enable timely identification of deterioration processes and provide robust assessment of their evolution and extent, ultimately answering the critical question: ‘how close to failure is the asset?’

The project will involve the fusion of sensor data and the application of advanced AI techniques to monitor and diagnose earthwork health. You will be part of a dynamic research environment, collaborating with other doctoral researchers and experts in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, and data science. The RAINDROP cluster provides a supportive and innovative setting for tackling real-world infrastructure challenges exacerbated by climate change.

Funding for this studentship includes a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for three years, plus full university tuition fees. Applicants should hold a first-class or high 2:1 degree in a relevant Engineering or Physical Science discipline; a master’s degree and/or relevant employment experience is advantageous. All candidates must meet the university’s minimum English language requirements. For further details on language requirements, visit the international applicants page.

To apply, submit your application online, including a completed studentship application form (in place of a personal statement), a two-page research proposal based on the project description, and an up-to-date CV. Select 'Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering' as the programme name and quote reference RAINDROP-CH. Only applications with all required documents will be considered for interview. The closing date for applications is 4 January 2025.

For questions about the project, you may contact the primary supervisor, Prof. Craig Hancock. This studentship is ideal for candidates passionate about infrastructure resilience, advanced diagnostics, and the application of AI in civil engineering contexts.