PhD Studentship: Advanced Design of Metal Structures

Location: College Lane campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Funding for: UK students, EU students, International students

Funding amount: £18,622 (stipend) + UK/EU/International tuition fee 

Overview

• Subject area: Structural Engineering
• Closing application date: 15 March 2024
• Duration: 3 years, full time

Applications are invited for a three-year full-time PhD scholarship in SPECS at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). The successful candidate will play an important role in helping the development of structural steel engineering research capabilities in the new multi-million SPECS building to open very soon.

Project outline:

This PhD project will focus on the structural behaviour of metal elements aiming to develop efficient design guidelines of metal structures. Extensive academic reviews leading to comprehensive understanding of existing data on structural behaviour will take place followed by extensive validated numerical modelling and/or testing that will contribute to the development of reliable design recommendations and significant advancements in technical knowledge. The research project will explore the behaviour of metals at material, member and/or frame levels.

Research findings are expected to contribute to validation and extension of new and existing provisions in national and international design codes in structural engineering and significant advances in the structural use of metals. Expected project outcomes will contribute to a more robust, efficient, and sustainable design of metal structures.

Align with this research framework, a range of PhD research topics is possible:

• Design of steel plated members using advanced numerical modelling
• Behaviour and design of structural steel connection systems for reuse
• Characterisation of thermo-structural behaviour of metal alloys at multi-scale levels
• Structural behaviour and design of special steel members (e.g. built-up, curved, tapered)

Supervisor: Dr Gabriel Barros dos Santos

Entry requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor degree with very good academic records in civil engineering or other relevant discipline such related engineering, physics, mathematics or material science.
• Master (MSc/MEng) degree or experience relevant to the research project.
• Good written and spoken English (see requirement below).
• Highly self-motivated to pursuit a full-time research programme.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Well organised and ability to work independently.

Desirable (non-essential):

• Experience in numerical modelling (software Abaqus), including programming skills.
• Familiarity with testing of structural components.

Eligibility:

This studentship is open to home/EU and international applicants. For further information, please read ‘Funding information’ below.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our website and complete the Application Form for PhD at University of Hertfordshire. This includes a personal statement (Section 11) describing (1) your motivation to conduct research the proposed project at UH and (2) how you meet the essential and desirable requirements.

Please also send with your application form:

• A research proposal aligned with a topic of this project not exceeding two A4 pages.
• Qualification certificates and transcripts.
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates who do not have English as their first language.
• Two reference letters to be provided directly to the doctoral college.

You should submit your application via email to UH Doctoral College by the closing date (15 March 2024).

Informal enquires can be made to Dr Gabriel Barros dos Santos ([email protected] ).

Interviews dates: Mid-to-end of March 2024.

Start date: May 2023 or soon thereafter.

Funding information:

Fully funded for UK, EU and international students. The studentship is for 3 years and covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).