PhD project: Railway Asset Degradation and Management Modelling for Climate Change

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

Job summary

University of Nottingham seeks a motivated graduate to work on climate change effects in railway asset degradation and asset management modelling. The project requires a 1st class degree in engineering, maths or a related discipline, with a Masters preferred.

You will develop climate-sensitive models and align with UK climate projections, under supervision in the Faculty of Engineering. Starting October 2027, applications from enthusiastic graduates are welcome, with funding potential and strong

Qualifications

• Starting October 2027, enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in engineering, maths or relevant discipline.
• Master's degree preferred; exceptional 2:1 considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop climate-dependent models to assess railway asset deterioration.
• Incorporate climate projections into probabilistic decay frameworks.
• Collaborate with supervisory team for dissemination and funding opportunities.

Education

1st class degree in engineering/maths or relevant discipline

Masters degree preferred

Job description

Supervised by Rasa Remenyte-Prescott (Faculty of Engineering)

Bridges are vital to the UK’s economic and societal infrastructure, and railway bridges are critical infrastructure for Network Rail, forming a vital part of the 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts which they manage across Britain. Increased traffic demand, limited maintenance, and ageing structural systems have pushed many bridges beyond their original design capacities. In addition, climate change is altering environmental exposure conditions, particularly temperature and relative humidity, which further accelerate the deterioration of bridges. Physics-based formulations with probabilistic models are necessary to capture uncertainty and environmental variability in bridge component degradation modelling. The processes of atmospheric and pitting corrosion, chloride‑induced corrosion, thermal cycling and fatigue, protective painting and coating degradation, to name a few, are most affected by increased rainfall and humidity, extreme heat conditions and air pollution, especially due to increasing effects of climate change.

It is envisaged that the approach will incorporate climate‑dependent parameters and their influence on the deterioration of a bridge, and it will allow a clear integration of regional/national climate projections. Climate projections will be taken from the UK Climate Projections (UKCP18) based on multiple Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and used along the probabilistic models of deterioration to capture uncertainty and environmental variability. The proposed approach will consider interdependencies, providing a realistic system‑level variability in condition‑state evolution, ranging from baseline ageing to pessimistic climate change effects, which would indicate acceleration of deterioration.

Aim: To include climate change effects into railway asset degradation and asset management modelling

Summary

Open to UK/EU/overseas students. Look for funding sources at www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx

Entry Requirements:

Starting October 2027, we require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in engineering, maths or a relevant discipline, preferably at Masters level (in exceptional circumstances a 2:1 degree can be considered).

For any enquiries about the project please email Rasa Remenyte-Prescott ([e-mail])

This position is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.