EPSRC FIBE3 CDT PhD studentship with Network Rail: Infrastructure system management in a changing climate

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded

Fees and maintenance

Equality and inclusion

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a four-year, fully funded PhD studentship under the FIBE3 CDT, in collaboration with Network Rail. The project focuses on climate adaptation and threshold-based analysis for railway infrastructure, combining civil engineering, climate science, and quantitative methods.

Applicants should hold at least a high 2.1 degree (preferably a Masters) in a related field, with an interest in systems thinking and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Requires strong quantitative training and ability to work with data for analysis and modelling.
• Demonstrates systems thinking and analytical approach to infrastructure projects.
• Good command of English for academic writing and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interdisciplinary research into thresholds and tipping points for railway infrastructure.
• Develop data-driven models to define environmental/operational thresholds.
• Contribute to publishable findings and cross-disciplinary collaboration with Network Rail and CDT partners.

Skills

Quantitative training

Systems thinking

Data analysis

English language skills

Education

Masters degree in related discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Cambridge Department Department of Engineering Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 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

Offer Description

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 https://www.net-zero-fibe-cdt.eng.cam.ac.uk/

The project is funded in collaboration with Network Rail, the entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Great Britain's railway infrastructure, with an extensive network spanning thousands of miles and its complex web of tracks, stations, signalling systems and more, and is fully committed to advancing research and innovation in the field of infrastructure and built environment to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability.

Climate change and shifting patterns of extreme weather are impacting risk profiles of transport assets, requiring re-evaluation of investment strategies to maintain reliable services. This research will investigate how environmental and operational thresholds for key rail assets can be scientifically defined, quantified and integrated into long-term climate adaptation planning. The main aim of the study is to develop methods to identify tipping points arising from climatic stressors such as extreme heat, high-intensity rainfall, soil moisture variation, and compound weather events. This will require an interdisciplinary systems approach and data analysis to explore historical asset/network performance. The insight will then be used as a starting point for evaluating future performance.

This project is not about advancing fundamental physics or engineering models of a specific asset type, but rather, understanding how the data available via Network Rail can be modelled to support identification of thresholds or tipping points for the railway infrastructure system. It is envisaged that the project will evaluate how threshold-based insights can enhance the timing, prioritisation and appraisal of adaptation options within existing decision frameworks used by Network Rail and national transport bodies.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a high 2.1 degree preferably at Masters level in a related discipline (such as civil engineering, construction management, climate science). An ideal candidate will have some form of quantitative undergraduate training, with an inclination to engage with systems thinking and analysis.

Fully-funded studentships (fees and maintenance) are only available for eligible home students in the first instance. A limited number of international students can be considered for funding at a later stage in the recruitment process. Further details about eligibility and funding can be found at: https://www.net-zero-fibe-cdt.eng.cam.ac.uk/Admissions/MResPlusPhD

Please note Cambridge University charges a £20 application fee for all doctoral course applications.

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 a related discipline such as civil engineering, construction management, climate science or any of the above research fields.

Specific Requirements

An ideal candidate will have some form of quantitative undergraduate training, with an inclination to engage with systems thinking and analysis.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

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 7 JJ Thomson Avenue Geofield