PhD College Studentship One utility for sustainable communities

Department of Engineering, Faculty of Technology, De Montfort University, Leicester

Starting October 2011

A PhD research studentship within the Water Software Systems research group is available to a suitably qualified UK or EU student/graduate only, due to the funding restrictions. Water Software Systems is a leading research group focused on systems engineering applied to the clean and wastewater sectors. The team consists of specialists coming from a wide range of backgrounds such as water and wastewater engineering, control engineering, computer science and environmental engineering.

The project is aligned to a new EPSRC projects 'All-in-One' which was awarded to a consortium of four universities: Cranfield, DMU, Lancaster and Sheffield. The EPSRC project investigates the feasibility of substituting the current diversity of utilities (eg, gas, water, electricity) with a single one that can provide all services needed, such as heating, water for consumption and hygiene, waste removal etc. The PhD project will focus on investigation of sustainability of a community which is provided with only electrical power, while all other services are created locally using naturally available resources, such as sun, rainfall, waste etc. It is a challenging, interdisciplinary research topic, encompassing areas of civil engineering, computer science, and theory of modelling and simulation of complex systems.

Candidate requirements:

A good first degree and preferably an MSc in civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or another relevant engineering discipline Excellent knowledge of mathematics coupled with sound programming skills Able to work across many engineering disciplines Able to work independently and as part of a dynamic team Good oral and written communication skills Ambition to undertake a challenging research project Able to liaise with partners from different academic institutions and other external organisations Good time management skills

This is one of 28 scholarships funded by DMU in 2011/12 to build on our excellent achievements in the RAE2008 and looking forward to REF2014. It will develop the university's research capacity into new and evolving areas of study, enhancing DMU's national and international research partnerships.

Applications are invited from UK or EU students only, due to the funding restrictions, with a good first degree (First, 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Doctoral scholarships are available for up to three years full-time study starting October 2011 and provide a bursary of £13,770pa in addition to university tuition fees.

Applicants should contact the Faculty Research Office to receive an application pack. Please email easpell@dmu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)116 257 8627 for further details.

Please quote ref: DMU studentships 2011

Closing Date: Monday 11 April 2011