PhD Studentship: Holistic Environmental Impacts and Dynamic Carbon Modelling in Construction Materials

Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship funded by the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI)  at the University of East London in collaboration with AKT-II.

Established in 2001, the SRI was one of the first dedicated sustainability research institutes in the UK. SRI has since built an excellent international reputation by applying our ground-breaking research and development in the real world with a strong track record of delivering multidisciplinary research for and with external partners in industry, local and regional authorities, non-statutory government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

Scope

Construction, alongside agriculture, is a major contributor to global material production, with significant environmental impacts arising from resource extraction, manufacturing, and processing. This project combines a holistic life cycle assessment (LCA) framework with dynamic carbon modelling to evaluate the environmental and carbon implications of construction materials, focusing on land use, biodiversity, and the adoption of bio-based alternatives.

The research aims to expand LCA boundaries to include the land-use and biodiversity impacts of conventional materials like steel and timber, alongside innovative bio-based materials normalized by structural function (e.g., strength and stiffness, not mass or volume). Residual land use will also be assessed, quantifying ecological benefits from rewilding or less intensive productive uses.

A dynamic LCA model will be developed to address the limitations of current carbon footprinting methods by considering the timing of carbon uptake and emissions. This approach will evaluate the time-sensitive benefits of fast-growing, short-rotation bio-based materials, integrating these findings into a software tool to enable rigorous comparative assessments and support decarbonization strategies.

Academic requirements and experience

Required

• A good 1st or 2,1 BSc (or international equivalent) in a STEM subject, e.g., Materials Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Ecology.
• LCA experience.
• Strong interest in sustainability and research.
• Excellent English communication skills.

Desirable

• A master’s level degree qualification in any course with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
• Experience with biodiversity Impact assessment

How to apply

Applicants wishing to be considered for this opportunity should send the following application documents to Dr Bamdad Ayati (b.ayati@uel.ac.uk):

1. Current CV including details of their academic record.
2. Covering letter explaining their plan of work, motivation and suitability (2 pages maximum).

Application via the UEL website is not necessary at this stage. Applications will be regularly reviewed until the position is filled. The expected start date of this PhD project is March 2025.

Funding notes

The studentship will provide funding for 3 years including tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at the standard UKRI London rate, £21,240 for the 2024/25 academic year. Full funding is available to Home students.