Queen's University Belfast

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Civil Engineering

• Civil Engineering: School of Natural and Built Environment | PhD
• Overview
• Course content
• Projects (14)
• Entry Requirements
• Fees and Funding
• Apply

Overview

The research centre will address the topical grand challenges in the civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Financial support to meet these challenges will be acquired through both internal University initiatives (for enhanced infrastructure and facilities) and external funding from government grants, charities and direct industrial support. Research will address the grand challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Key research areas include: Marine renewable energy Groundwater and environmental systems Geotechnics Intelligent infrastructure and high-performance structures Energy-efficient materials Mode of study/duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Subject Summary

Civil Engineering at Queens is in the Top 200 in the World (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021). Your research will advance knowledge in the civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Your work will help to address the challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Our key research areas include marine renewable energy, groundwater and environmental systems, geotechnics, intelligent infrastructure and high-performance structures, energy efficient materials and construction and project management.

Civil Engineering Highlights

• The School of Natural and Built Environment brings together researchers from spatial planning, architecture, geography, paleoecology and civil engineering to tackle some of the world's most pressing urban and environmental challenges. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/
• Civil Engineering is led by the Head of Discipline (Lead of Civil Engineering Dr Madjid Karimirad) supported by team leaders with responsibility for maintaining excellence in its research groups; - such as the Global Environmental Resilience group, the Intelligent and Sustainable Infrastructure group with several joint projects with international Centres of Excellence, as well as the Water and Energy Resources group, including Marine Research, with more than 40 years of research and development for numerical analysis, experimental laboratory and field testing. Further information about our research groups can be found on the School website. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Disciplines/civil-and-structural-engineering/
• The School of Natural and Built Environment has a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support our outstanding students and staff conducting leading-edge research and teaching. These include a heavy structures laboratory, rheology laboratory, the Belfast Wave Flume and the Portaferry coastal wave basin. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/facilities-infrastructure/
• Postgraduates form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's cross-disciplinary Research Groups, enabling the creation of synergies in areas such as sustainability, infrastructure, water, energy, culture, design and heritage. The School is engaged with major research themes such as urbanism, community, heritage, population and climate change which contributes to the development of policy and practice both locally and globally. Visit our School website and read about the exciting research being undertaken by our current PhD students: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Study/PostgraduateResearch/

Key Facts

QUB ranked 206 in the world (QS World University Ranking 2025)

• Civil Engineering is ranked 12th in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide 2025).

Research Information

Associated Research The dynamic nature of this research has been key to our success in attracting significant funding from UK research councils, government departments and agencies. The Civil Engineering Research Centre (CERC) is a leading international, interdisciplinary centre that enables scientists and engineers from all areas of civil engineering investigation to work on diverse, yet complementary research. A special feature of the CERC is the extensive and diverse range of research topics being researched by students and staff in the Centre.

Career Prospects

Introduction Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability. For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

Dr Carwyn Frost Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Daniel McPolin Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr David Hester Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Debra H Phillips Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Faris Elghaish Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Giuseppina Amato Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Hector Martin Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Jonathan Black Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Madjid Karimirad Reader Natural and Built Environment Lead of Civil Engineering

Dr Mohammed Sonebi Professor Natural and Built Environment

Dr Nipuni Odara Merenchi Galappaththige Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Pal Schmitt Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Raymond Flynn Reader Natural and Built Environment

Dr Rory Doherty Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Siobhan Cox Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Sree Nanukuttan Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Stephen McIlwaine Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Tara Brooks Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Reader Natural and Built Environment

Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Dr Xianhai Meng Senior Lecturer Natural and Built Environment

Professor G Hamill Professor Natural and Built Environment Head of School

Professor Marios Soutsos Professor Natural and Built Environment

Professor Su Taylor Professor Natural and Built Environment

Professor Wei Sha Professor Natural and Built Environment

Learning Outcomes

A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree also enhances a student’s written and oral communication skills, and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.

Course structure

You will carry out original research under the guidance of your supervisory team. There is no specific course content as such. This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor. You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’. Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification. To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis. A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required. The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy. Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest. The part time route is a suitable option for those unable to study for a PhD full time. This may be due to family commitments or those already in employment. On the former, studying part time for a PhD can be very accommodating in juggling different responsibilities. On the latter, part time candidates often choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities. If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff. Application Process Please review the eligibility criteria on the webpages. If you believe that you meet these criteria then follow the steps below: Select ONE potential supervisor from our list of Academic Staff (https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/OurPeople/AcademicandResearchStaff/) and send an email containing: a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum) a concise statement that you are interested in studying for a PhD, stating when you would start, and how you would plan to fund the research a brief statement of the research question or interest, and how you think the question could be investigated Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students; staff can liaise with applicants to develop a research proposal of mutual interest. The potential supervisor should get back to you within a couple of weeks. They may invite you to meet with them or they may invite you to apply formally. If you have difficulty identifying or contacting an appropriate supervisor, please contact Catherine Ferris (email: pgr.snbe@qub.ac.uk) who will be happy to help. For part-time study – the closing date for this option is 31st August each year. For full-time study (self-funding) – for those full time candidates who do not wish to compete for a studentship or who are not eligible to compete for a studentship the closing date is 31st August each year. For full-time study and application for a studentship/award; please be aware that awards are only available to full time students. Candidates wishing to apply for studentships available within the School must apply for full-time study at the same time. Available studentships and closing dates are detailed on the School's studentships web page: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Study/PostgraduateResearch/ResearchStudentships/

Assessment

Assessment processes for the research degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually. This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year. The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

Feedback

Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.

Learning and Teaching

Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp

Population based Structural health monitoring for bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, mechanical engineering electrical electronic engineering Prof David Hester Supervisor Prof David Hester Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

QUADRAT DTP: Investigation of the growth of molds (fungi and bacteria) in bio-based materials made from agro-waste food School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agronomy, Soil Science, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Hydrology Prof Mohammed Sonebi Supervisor Prof Mohammed Sonebi Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT-DTP Application deadline 22 January 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1579651200

QUADRAT DTP: Assessing the restoration of UK Carbon sinks using geophysics and microbiology School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agronomy, Soil Science, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Hydrology Dr Rory Doherty Supervisor Dr Rory Doherty Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT-DTP Application deadline 22 January 2019 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1548115200

QUADRAT: Multidisciplinary Quantification Ecosystem Services to Streams, Provided by Formerly Afforested Blanket Bog. School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Agricultural Sciences, Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering Dr Raymond Flynn Supervisor Dr Raymond Flynn Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT-DTP Application deadline 22 January 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1579651200

Decision Support Framework for Reliable and Cost-effective Repowering of Bottom-fixed Offshore Wind Farms School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Marine, Mechanical, structural, offshore Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 31 March 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1617148800

Transforming waste glass cullet to sodium silicate: a bulk chemical for the production of low-carbon concrete, surfactants and wood pulp School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 June 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1625011200

Urban agroecology: Risks and Benefits School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Environmental Engineering, Pollution, Soil Science, Environmental Geography, Geochemistry Dr Rory Doherty Supervisor Dr Rory Doherty Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1625011200

QUADRAT DTP: Repurposing fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composite waste for marine renewable energy School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Climatology & Climate Change, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Marine Biology Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT-DTP Application deadline 16 June 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1623801600

QUADRAT DTP: Development of artificial reefs: design, scientific monitoring, environment impact and management in North/Irish Seas School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Scien Prof Mohammed Sonebi Supervisor Prof Mohammed Sonebi Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT-DTP Application deadline 16 June 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1623801600

SALine INtrusion in coastal Aquifers (SALINA): Hydrodynamic Assessment and Prediction of Dynamic Response School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil & Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geography, Geology Professor Gerard Hamill Supervisor Professor Gerard Hamill Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 May 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1619827200

Fluid Structure Interactions due to Scouring at Bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil & Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Professor Gerard Hamill Supervisor Professor Gerard Hamill Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 May 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1619827200

Population based Structural health monitoring for bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, mechanical and structural engineering, data science, machine learning, dynamics Prof David Hester Supervisor Prof David Hester Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 31 March 2022 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1648684800

Population based Structural health monitoring for bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, electrical engineering Prof David Hester Supervisor Prof David Hester Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 31 March 2023 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1680220800

Population based Structural health monitoring for bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD data science, machine learning, mechanical engineering, structural mechanics, civil, electrical Prof David Hester Supervisor Prof David Hester Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 31 March 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1711843200

Prediction of the Dynamic Response of a Saline Intrusion in a Tidally Influenced Coastal Aquifer School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD fluid mechanics, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering geophysics, hydrogeology Professor Gerard Hamill Supervisor Professor Gerard Hamill Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

QUADRAT DTP: Carbon dynamics in blanket peatlands School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Ecology, Environmental chemistry, engineering, climate science, geography, geochemistry, hydrogeolog Dr Raymond Flynn Supervisor Dr Raymond Flynn Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 17 January 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1705449600

Impact of Climate Change on Peat Slope Stability School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil, environmental, geotechnical engineering, data analysis, mathematical modelling, geology, geop Dr Raymond Flynn Supervisor Dr Raymond Flynn Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 31 March 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1711843200

Groundwater Residence Times for Peatland Restoration School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD earth science, environmental science, civil engineering, environmental engineering Dr Raymond Flynn Supervisor Dr Raymond Flynn Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

Floating cellular BFRP concrete for wave renewables School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Professor Su Taylor Supervisor Professor Su Taylor Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Seismic Evaluation of the FlexiArch using Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD AI, Civil Engineering, structural mechanics, data analysis Professor Su Taylor Supervisor Professor Su Taylor Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

Crack-inducing thermal stresses in safety-critical concrete structures School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Thermal stresses, safety critical structures, cement hydration, supplementary cementitious materials Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Impact Resistance of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), impact and blast resistance, Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2

Structural Behaviour of Concrete Block Pavements: Finite Element Modelling of the effect of construction pattern and unit interlock School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Structural behaviour, concrete block pavements, construction pattern, unit interlock Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete for Access Floor Tiles School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Cementless “Geopolymer” Concrete for Sustainable Construction School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Alkali-activated binders (AABs), geopolymer concrete, supplementary cementitious materials Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

The use of decommissioned wind turbine blades as girders in bridges School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP), wind turbine blades, bridges, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

CITI-GENS DTP: Dynamic characterization of tensile and bond behaviour of basalt textile reinforced mortars (BTRM) School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Composite materials, basalt, textile reinforced mortars, impact loading, bond behaviour Dr Giuseppina Amato Supervisor Dr Giuseppina Amato Funding Funded Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE Application deadline 10 July 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594339200

Bio-based textile reinforced mortar (bio-TRM) composites for structural strengthening School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Textile reinforced mortars, bio-based materials, structural strengthening, masonry Prof Mohammed Sonebi Supervisor Prof Mohammed Sonebi Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

CITI-GENS DTP: Sensor based digital transformation of construction School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD BIM, Sensors, wireless Communication, data analytics, construction process, digitisation Dr Sree Nanukuttan Supervisor Dr Sree Nanukuttan Funding Funded Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE Application deadline 10 July 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594339200

CITI-GENS DTP: The real-life performance of energy efficiency technologies unearthed through data science School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Data analytics, energy performance, climate change, occupant behaviour, training, thermal performanc Dr Sree Nanukuttan Supervisor Dr Sree Nanukuttan Funding Funded Cofunded by the Horizon 2020 prog of the EU & DfE Application deadline 10 July 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594339200

CITI-GENS DTP: Microstructure and mechanical properties of an advanced metal matrix composite with ultrafine particle reinforcement for manufacturing aerospace components School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD metal matrix composite, aerospace Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Funded Cofunded by Horizon 2020 prog of the EU and DfE Application deadline 10 July 2020 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594339200

Development of UAV for asset management in construction School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD UAV, photogrammetry, MATLAB, infrastructure management, structural engineering, civil engineering Dr Daniel McPolin Supervisor Dr Daniel McPolin Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Global Availability and Characteristics of a waste material with potential application in the construction industry School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering Dr Daniel McPolin Supervisor Dr Daniel McPolin Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 3 December 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638489600

Bio-based textile reinforced mortar (bio-TRM) composites for structural strengthening School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Bio-based materials, composites, waste materials, TRM, masonry, heritage buildings, strengthening, Dr Giuseppina Amato Supervisor Dr Giuseppina Amato Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Repurposing offshore wind turbine blades for marine renewable energy applications School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Offshore wind turbines, Offshore renewable energy (ORE), Marine structures, Repurpose Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Electrical resistivity-based characterisation of concrete: Affordable Technologies School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Durability, Concrete, Resistivity, Temperature, R&D Dr Sree Nanukuttan Supervisor Dr Sree Nanukuttan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Corrosion of mild steel reinforcement in alkali activated binders School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Corrosion, mild steel, alkali activated materials, measurements Dr Sree Nanukuttan Supervisor Dr Sree Nanukuttan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Microstructure and mechanical properties of an advanced metal matrix composite with ultrafine particle reinforcement for manufacturing aerospace components School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Metal matrix composite; aerospace. Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2

Digital Twinning Lifetime Responses of Floating Solar Panels (SolarTwin) School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD aerospace engineering, civil engineering, dynamics, environmental, fluid mechanics, marine, mechanic Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded SFI (Science Foundation Ireland) Application deadline 31 March 2023 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1680220800

QUADRAT DTP: Potential human health risks from Ni and Cr in agricultural lands following repeated amendment with basalt dust for carbon sequestration School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD agronomy and soil science Dr Siobhan Cox Supervisor Dr Siobhan Cox Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT DTP Application deadline 1 December 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638316800

QUADRAT DTP: The impact of subsurface heterogeneity on the performance of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Supervisor Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Funding Funded NERC QUADRAT DTP Application deadline 1 December 2021 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1638316800

Babbitt/aluminium composite material with enhanced tribological and mechanical characteristics School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Materials science, Materials engineering Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2

Electroless high entropy alloy coatings for energy storage applications School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Surface engineering, Materials science, Materials engineering Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Assembly and Robotics Innovation in Steel Building Erection (ARISE) School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or computer science Dr Daniel McPolin Supervisor Dr Daniel McPolin Funding Funded US-Ireland Application deadline 1 March 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1709251200

Development of robotic printable long-life mortar system School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, structural engineering, robotics, computer vision Dr Daniel McPolin Supervisor Dr Daniel McPolin Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 31 July 2023 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1690761600

QUADRAT DTP CASE: Novel Assessment Tools for Wave Dampening by Marine and Coastal Vegetation School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD ecology, marine biology, plant, environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, marine, offshore, math Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 9 December 2022 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1670544000

QUADRAT DTP: Enhanced rock weathering – solution or problem? Potential human health risks from Ni and Cr accumulation in soils following repeated amendment with basalt dust School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD agricultural sciences, arable farming, ecotoxicology, environmental engineering, pollution, soil Dr Siobhan Cox Supervisor Dr Siobhan Cox Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 9 December 2022 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1670544000

QUADRAT DTP: Advanced Turbulence Characterisation in High Flow Environments School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Geography Dr Carwyn Frost Supervisor Dr Carwyn Frost Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 17 January 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1705449600

Investigation of Basalt Reinforced Digital Printed (BRDP) structures School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering, structural engineering, concrete technology Dr Giuseppina Amato Supervisor Dr Giuseppina Amato Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

Benchmarking social value for infrastructure projects School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD built environment, construction management, urban planning, physical geography Dr Hector Martin Supervisor Dr Hector Martin Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 1 July 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719792000

Building a digital twin framework for post-earthquake automated rapid evaluation School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD structural engineering, building information modelling (BIM), computer science Dr Hector Martin Supervisor Dr Hector Martin Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

Climate resilience of geotechnical slope infrastructure School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD climate science, geoscience, geotechnology, geotechnical engineering Dr Jonathan Black Supervisor Dr Jonathan Black Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 24 May 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1716508800

QUADRAT DTP: Carbon footprint reduction by repurposing fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite waste for marine renewable energy School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD polymer chemistry, civil engineering, energy technologies, environmental, marine, climate science, Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 17 January 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1705449600

AI-Based Design Optimization and Dynamics of Co-located Offshore Wind and Floating Solar Energy for Hydrogen Production at Green Ports School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, mechanical engineering, ocean, coastal and marine, offshore renewable energy Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

QUADRAT DTP: Sensing extreme coastal waves School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD fluid mechanics, marine engineering, offshore, marine sciences, remote sensing, applied maths, data Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 17 January 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1705449600

Pathways to Decarbonising Shipping School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD aerospace, civil, engineering, energy, fluid mechanics, marine engineering, mechanical, offshore Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 29 February 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1709164800

Pitch control of a lift-based Wave Energy Converter School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Renewable energy, physical modelling, marine, ocean, hydrodynamics, cyclo-rotor, lift-based, Wave En Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 29 February 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1709164800

Understanding the environmental impact of constructing the built environment School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering Dr Siobhan Cox Supervisor Dr Siobhan Cox Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

QUADRAT DTP: AgriTherm - The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the UK Agri-Food sector School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Geology Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Supervisor Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Funding Funded NERC Quadrat Application deadline 17 January 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1705449600

Programmable 3D-printed granular matter with tunable properties School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Supervisor Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Funding Funded EPSRC Application deadline 30 June 2024 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1719705600

Next generation macro-defect free cement composites School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Mechanics, Structural Engineering Dr Daniel McPolin Supervisor Dr Daniel McPolin Funding Funded DfE Studentship Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Layer by Layer: Strengthening 3D Printed Concrete with Basalt Composites School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Dr Giuseppina Amato Supervisor Dr Giuseppina Amato Funding Funded DfE Studentship Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Climate Resilience of Geotechnical Infrastructure School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering Dr Jonathan Black Supervisor Dr Jonathan Black Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

AI-Based Design Optimisation and Dynamics of Co-located Offshore Wind and Floating Solar Energy for Hydrogen Production at Green Ports School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Machine Learning & Monitoring for Fatigue Life Estimation of Floating Solar Farms School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical, Ocean, Coastal and Marine, offshore renewa Dr Madjid Karimirad Supervisor Dr Madjid Karimirad Funding Funded European Doctoral Networks: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Vegetation-wave interactions on mixing: transverse mixing of soluble pollutants around seagrass beds School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, pollution Dr Nipuni Odara Merenchi Galappaththige Supervisor Dr Nipuni Odara Merenchi Galappaththige Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Coastal Erosion Mitigation for Modern Fast Ferry Wash School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Logistics and Offshore Operations for Wave Power Arrays School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD fluid dynamics, offshore, coastal engineering. Dr Pal Schmitt Supervisor Dr Pal Schmitt Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 20 February 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1771545600

Design of Net Zero Construction Materials using the Circular Economy School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Geochemistry Dr Rory Doherty Supervisor Dr Rory Doherty Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Understanding the environmental impact of constructing the built environment School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Geo Chemistry Dr Siobhan Cox Supervisor Dr Siobhan Cox Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Early reactivity focused selection of clay sources for developing next generation supplementary cementitious materials School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering Dr Sree Nanukuttan Supervisor Dr Sree Nanukuttan Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

The Impact of Hetereogeneity on Geothermal Resources of the Sherwood Sandstone Formation School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Applied Geology, Geophysics, Geoscience Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Supervisor Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger Funding Funded Quartiles Application deadline 19 February 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1739923200

Granular Metamaterials as a Ground Improvement Solution School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, SOIL SCIENCE, COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Supervisor Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 18 April 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1744934400

Bio-inspired design of sustainable soil-stabilisation systems School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD built environment, civil engineering Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Supervisor Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Reverse-Osmosis Deslination – addressing the water stress through renewable energy School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering Dr Carwyn Frost Supervisor Dr Carwyn Frost Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Layer by Layer: Strengthening 3D Printed Concrete with Basalt Composites School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering Dr Giuseppina Amato Supervisor Dr Giuseppina Amato Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Understanding the environmental impact of constructing the built environment School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil, structural engineering Dr Siobhan Cox Supervisor Dr Siobhan Cox Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Avalanche dynamics from micromechanical first principles School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Civil engineering Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Supervisor Dr Vasileios Angelidakis Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

Improving the shrinkage behaviour and efflorescence formation of low carbon geopolymer concrete School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD concrete, civil engineering, geopolymer Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

High-Entropy Alloy-Infused Cementitious Composites: A Circular-Economy Approach to Corrosion Mitigation and Service-Life Extension (HEA-CIRC) School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD engineering, materials, physics, chemistry Professor Wei Sha Supervisor Professor Wei Sha Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Natural and Built Environment | Unfunded | Civil Engineering | Open | 2

Removal of Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) from Water by Adsorbents School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Dr Debra H. Phillips Supervisor Dr Debra H. Phillips Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Impact Resistance of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 6 June 2025 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1749168000

Selection of clay sources for developing next generation supplementary cementitious School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD civil engineering, construction materials Professor Marios Soutsos Supervisor Professor Marios Soutsos Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 January 2026 | School of Natural and Built Environment | Funded | Civil Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1769731200

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Entrance requirements

Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £28,900

International | £28,900

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

Civil Engineering costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas