PhD Studentship: Decarbonisation of Coastal Defences Through Adoption of Vegetation-enhanced Coastal Infrastructure University of Plymouth in United Kingdom

[The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum (2026-27 rate). Bench fee included. International component of tuition fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants. No funding for NHS Immigration Health Surcharge, visa costs, or flights.]

This PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the decarbonisation of coastal defences by integrating vegetation into hard coastal infrastructure. Supported for 3.5 years by EPSRC funding, the position includes Home tuition fees, a bench fee, and a generous stipend of £21,805 per annum (2026-27 rate). The project is supervised by Professor Alison Raby, Dr Martyn Hann, Dr Matthew Perkins, and Dr Jessica Guichard, and will be based in the world-class COAST Laboratory.

Coastal communities are increasingly challenged by sea level rise and habitat loss. Traditional seawalls and rock armour, while providing essential protection, have high embodied carbon costs and can negatively impact local ecosystems. In contrast, natural vegetated habitats support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and attenuate waves, but may not fully protect coastal assets. This research aims to bridge the gap by enhancing hard coastal structures with vegetation, delivering robust protection and measurable carbon benefits.

The project involves developing and validating physical modelling techniques to represent vegetation on coastal structures and assessing its influence on wave overtopping. A systematic experimental campaign will quantify how habitat establishment on rock armour affects performance under UK-relevant conditions. The student will also develop a predictive Machine Learning tool to assist engineers in incorporating vegetated systems into design stage decision making. Life Cycle Analysis will be applied to evaluate potential carbon savings using international case studies.

This interdisciplinary research sits at the interface of coastal engineering and marine ecology, focusing primarily on the physical aspects of vegetation-enhanced structures, with guidance provided on ecological aspects. The project is particularly suited to applicants interested in physical modelling, environmental fluid mechanics, nature-based solutions, and data-driven analysis.

Eligibility requires a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject, preferably with a relevant Masters qualification. Physical Science or Engineering graduates are preferred, but candidates with technical skills from Environmental Science backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. Applications are welcome from both UK and overseas students. The studentship will fully fund applicants eligible for Home fees; international applicants must cover the difference between Home and International tuition fee rates unless the international component is waived for outstanding candidates. There is no additional funding for NHS Immigration Health Surcharge, visa costs, or flights. The studentship covers 3.5 years of the four-year registration period, with the final 6 months as a self-funded writing-up period.

To apply, use the University of Plymouth's online application portal. For informal enquiries, contact Professor Alison Raby at [email protected]. The application deadline is 12 noon on 24 April 2026.