Postgraduate research
Research opportunities
We recruit over forty new PhD students each year. Places are supported by annual studentship and Doctoral Training awards as explained below.
Centres for Doctoral Training and the Industrial Doctorate Centre
The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering partners with a number of doctoral training centres delivering industry-led research, which opens up various PhD opportunities within the centres.
ERBE: The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Resilience and the Built Environment
The EPSRC-funded CDT, ERBE, is based at Loughborough University, MaREI at University College Cork and University College London (UCL). Its focus is on the requirements for development of a flexible and resilient energy system that can accommodate low carbon energy sources effectively. ERBE students will work and learn together as a cohort on an integrated, 4-year programme. They will pursue research in one of three themes:
- Flexibility and resilience: the interaction between buildings, both domestic and non-domestic, and the whole energy system, through new generation, storage, and energy efficiency technology, enabled by smart control systems and new business models.
- Technology and system performance: demand reduction and decarbonisation of the built environment and its utilisation through design, construction methods, technological innovation, cyber-physical monitoring and control systems and regulation.
- Comfort, health and well-being: building, energy, and ICT systems that create productive and efficient work and operational environments and affordable, clean, safe homes.
The EPSRC Water-WISER Centre for Doctoral Training
This is a collaboration between Loughborough, Leeds and Cranfield universities and provides funding for PhDs in the area of Water and Waste Infrastructure Systems Engineered for Resilience. It is associated with the Water and Engineering Development Centre within the School.
The NERC Doctoral Training Centre, CENTA
Our NERC Doctoral Training Partnership offers excellent doctoral research training within the remit of the Natural Environment Research Council. See the Central England NERC Training Alliance web-site for details of some of our advertised projects.
EngD Studentships
Engineering Doctorate (EngD) studentships are awarded when funding is available from EPSRC and/or industry. For details on previous studentships and projects, please see the CICE website.
Advertised studentships
Each year the School awards a number of EPSRC, NERC, University and School funded studentships (to support three years of study towards a PhD). School opportunities are generally advertised in October/November, and awarded by the end of February, for studies commencing in the subsequent October.
Contacting the supervisor of an advertised position is strongly recommended. Your perspective on the area can then be included in the project details section. Please make sure your application includes the relevant vacancy reference.
Open applications
Candidates may apply for a research degree at any time, even if specific vacancies are not advertised. These applications may be considered for any vacancies that arise later in the academic year, or candidates can source their own funding.
Please provide a summary of your proposed area of research (approximately 500 words) including your research interests, initial thoughts on a topic, references to previous work, and the methodology and general approach you wish to take. You should also indicate how the research would make an original contribution to knowledge and intended or possible sources of funding.
Submitting your application
The best way to apply for admission to a research programme is online through the University’s Application Portal. These scholarships are very competitive, and only candidates who meet the qualification criteria and have outstanding qualifications should apply.
