EPSRC FIBE3 CDT PhD Studentship: Low-carbon Cements for Precast Concrete in Aggressive Ground University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

[Fully-funded studentships (fees and maintenance) are available for eligible home students. Limited funding for international students may be available at a later stage.]

This four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) studentship at the University of Cambridge is funded through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE3 CDT), in collaboration with Tracey Concrete, a leader in precast concrete manufacturing. The project addresses the urgent need for low-carbon solutions in the construction industry, focusing on the development and application of low-carbon cements for precast concrete used in aggressive ground conditions, such as those found in buried infrastructure.

Precast concrete offers a controlled environment for material innovation, making it an ideal platform for deploying alternative binders and next-generation low-carbon cements. The research will systematically characterize and evaluate the mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability of both commercially available and novel cements embedded in aggressive ground. These environments pose significant challenges for material longevity, and current standards, such as the BRE Special Digest 1 (SD1), do not adequately reflect advances in low-carbon binder technologies.

The project aims to generate robust scientific evidence to inform updates to design and specification guidance, with a particular focus on re-evaluating cement contents prescribed in BRE SD1. By assessing the relevance of existing requirements to modern low-carbon binders, the research will investigate the potential for reducing cement content, thereby lowering the carbon footprint while maintaining or enhancing mechanical and durability performance. The work will deliver essential data on durability, microstructural development, and long-term behaviour, providing the foundation for performance-based specifications that enable more sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-friendly concrete production.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, at least a high 2.1 degree, preferably at Masters level, in Civil Engineering, and demonstrate a strong interest in cementitious materials and experimental research. The studentship is fully funded for eligible UK home students, covering both fees and maintenance, with limited funding available for international students at a later stage. The University of Cambridge actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from all backgrounds.

For project-specific enquiries, contact Prof. Abir Al-Tabbaa at [email protected]. For general enquiries, email [email protected]. Further details about eligibility and funding can be found on the UKRI, Cambridge Trust, and University of Cambridge finance pages. 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 2025. Please note there is a £20 application fee.