Civil Engineering

Functional and Low Carbon Materials for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

University of Birmingham

Not stated

Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
Application deadline
Year-round applications

About the project

About the Project The construction industry accounts for 8–10% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and faces significant challenges in achieving NetZero targets by 2050. This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation construction materials that are both low-carbon and climate-resilient. The research will focus on designing and testing functional materials—including alternative binders and aggregates—that incorporate waste-derived and industrial by-product materials while enhancing durability under environmental stressors such as freeze-thaw cycles, chemical exposure, and thermal fluctuations. Key Objectives: - Develop and characterize low-carbon materials with multi-functional properties - Assess mechanical performance and long-term durability under simulated environmental conditions - Optimize material formulations for scalability and field deployment Candidate Requirements: We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with: - A background in civil engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, or a related field - Strong laboratory skills and an interest in sustainable construction technologies - Experience with cementitious materials, durability testing, or life cycle assessment is desirable - Excellent communication and teamwork abilities Preferable start date: January 2026

Research areas

CivilEngineeringEnvironmentalEngineeringEnvironmentalSciencesMaterialsScienceStructuralEngineeringFunctionalandLowCarbonMaterialsforClimate-ResilientInfrastructure