[Fully-funded studentships (fees and maintenance) available for eligible home students; limited funding for international students may be considered later.]

The University of Cambridge is offering a fully-funded PhD studentship through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE3 CDT), in collaboration with Tracey Concrete. This four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) programme focuses on the development and advancement of low-carbon cements for precast concrete used in aggressive ground conditions, addressing the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Tracey Concrete, a leader in precast concrete manufacturing, is actively exploring innovative materials and technologies to achieve zero-carbon construction elements. The construction industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining long-term infrastructure performance, especially in environments that accelerate material degradation. This project aims to characterise and evaluate the mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability of both commercially available and novel cements in precast concrete, specifically targeting buried structures exposed to aggressive ground.

Precast concrete offers a controlled environment for material innovation and quality assurance, making it ideal for deploying alternative binders and next-generation low-carbon cements. The research will generate essential data on durability, microstructural development, and long-term behaviour, providing a foundation for performance-based specifications that enable more sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-friendly concrete production.

A key motivation is to address the limitations of the BRE Special Digest 1 (SD1), the primary reference for concrete in aggressive ground, which has not been updated since 2005. Advances in low-carbon binder technologies are not reflected in current standards, hindering wider adoption. The project will inform updates to design and specification guidance, focusing on re-evaluating cement contents prescribed in BRE SD1 and investigating the potential for reducing cement content while maintaining or enhancing performance.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a high 2.1 degree, preferably at Masters level, in Civil Engineering, with a strong interest in cementitious materials and experimental work. Fully-funded studentships (covering fees and maintenance) are available for eligible home students, with limited funding for international students considered at a later stage. For project-specific enquiries, contact Prof. Abir Al-Tabbaa at [email protected]. General enquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Applications should be submitted online via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal, stating course code EGEGR3 and the project title. Early applications are encouraged, as offers may be made before the deadline of 15 April 2026. The University supports equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.

For further details on the programme, funding, and eligibility, visit the provided links. Join a leading research environment and contribute to the future of sustainable infrastructure.