University of Leeds
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2 months ago
PhD in Soil Stabilisation and Ground Improvement University of Leeds in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
This is a non-funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self-funded or secure external funding. Arrival costs such as visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, and flights must be met by the applicant unless covered by another funding source.
Deadline
Apr 30, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Leeds
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About this position
PhD in Soil Stabilisation and Ground Improvement at the University of Leeds in the School of Civil Engineering.
This PhD focuses on geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, and sustainable ground improvement. The project explores eco-friendly alternatives to traditional carbon-heavy soil stabilizers such as cement, lime, and synthetic chemical grouts. Research themes include the use of industrial byproducts, polymers, and sustainable chemical additives to improve soil shear strength, reduce compressibility, and make ground improvement more predictable and scalable.
Possible directions include using industrial byproducts as low-carbon binders for soft organic soils, numerical modelling of soil improvement in unsaturated soils and expansive clay minerals, and developing predictive frameworks for improved ground behaviour in field conditions. Methods may include triaxial and unconfined compressive testing, permeability and hydraulic conductivity testing, standard soil classification, and numerical modelling / finite element analysis.
Suitable backgrounds include Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Chemistry, Engineering Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Applied Mathematics, or Physics.
This is a non-funded PhD. Applicants should be self-funded or have external sponsorship. The project is open to international applicants, including the UK. Deadline: 30 April 2027. Start date: 1 October 2027.
How to apply: submit a formal research degree application through the University of Leeds website, select the correct programme and start date, and clearly state the project title and proposed supervisor. Include transcripts, personal statement, CV, and English language evidence if required.
Funding details
This is a non-funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self-funded or secure external funding. Arrival costs such as visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, and flights must be met by the applicant unless covered by another funding source.
What's required
Applicants should normally hold at least a first-class or upper second-class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline; some research degrees may require a Masters degree. Suitable backgrounds include Civil Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Science or Applied Chemistry, Engineering Geology or Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering or Biotechnology, and Applied Mathematics or Physics. Applicants should have English proficiency at IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component or equivalent, with the test dated within two years of the start date. Applicants should identify planned funding before contacting the supervisor and may be self-funded or externally sponsored.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Leeds research degree application portal. Select Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate, choose PHP Civil Engineering Full Time, set the proposed start date to 1 October 2027, and state the project title and Professor David Connolly as proposed supervisor. Include transcripts, personal statement, CV, and English language evidence if applicable.
More information can be found here
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