EPSRC Fibecdt PhD Studentship M Group: Low carbon Cementitious repair Materials

Organisation/Company FIBE3 CDT / University of Cambridge Department Department of Engineering Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Architecture » Design Environmental science » Global change Technology » Construction technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 14 Apr 2027 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

This is a four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) studentship funded through the Cambridge EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment:
Unlocking Net Zero (FIBE3 CDT). Further details can be found at

The project is funded in collaboration with M Group, a leading essential infrastructure services provider operating within the Transport, Energy, Water and Telecommunications sectors. A core business is transport infrastructure repair and maintenance delivering innovative and sustainable solutions aligning with M Group's ambitious environment strategy.

As the construction phase of new infrastructure is responsible for significant carbon emissions, the focus is now shifting towards the upkeep and life extension of existing infrastructure, to help deliver the sector's lower carbon targets. In the current largely traditional construction practices, around half of all construction spend continues to be on repair and maintenance, of mainly concrete assets, and most such repairs are carbon intensive and inefficient.

Poor material performance and durability remain the main causes of around half of failed cementitious repairs within the first 10 years and our changing climate will only exacerbate this.

The project will explore a range of advanced and low carbon cementitious repair materials (grouts, mortars and concrete) together with tailored functional additives and admixtures with the aim of developing sustainable and more resilient and longer lasting repair solutions.

The project will address a number of current challenges with commercially available cementitious repair materials and focus on a number of low hanging fruit applications. It will capitalise on case studies of major improvement, repair and renewal projects from M Group including National Highways frameworks, the Lewes derailment repairs, Redbridge Causeway environmental refurbishment and soil nailing grout applications to prevent landslides.

A main driver in many cases is minimising asset closure time. The project will combine advanced material characterisation, mix design development, coupled thermodynamic and reactive transport modelling, accelerated ageing, mechanical and durability testing and potentially large-scale trials and validation. A range of repair scenarios will be considered together with appropriate design and performance requirements.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a high 2.1 degree preferably at Masters level in Civil Engineering and with strong interest in cementitious materials and experimental work.

Please note there is a £20 application fee.

Early applications are strongly encouraged as an offer may be made before the stated deadline.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a high 2.1 degree preferably at Masters level in Civil Engineering and with strong interest in cementitious materials and experimental work.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute FIBE3 CDT, Dept of Engineering, Cambridge University Country United Kingdom State/Province Cambridge/Cambridgeshire City Cambridge Postal Code CB3 0RB
Street Roger Needham Building, 7 JJ Thomson Avenue Geofield

Roger Needham Building, 7 JJ Thomson Avenue