PhD Studentship: Robust Evaluation Framework for Electric Shared-mobility Hubs (REFRESH)

Shared mobility and mobility hubs are becoming popular in the UK and worldwide, but the evaluation frameworks of such systems to assess their effectiveness and impact are often lacking (COMOUK, 2025). Whilst our previous research covers many other aspects including user behaviour, substitution effect, adopter cohorts (Singh, et al., 2025; Kavta, et al. 2024; Bosehans et al., 2023; Bosehans et al., 2024) our focus is now on the assessment and evaluation aspects of mobility hubs. Developing a robust evaluation framework is crucial for understanding the benefits and challenges of shared mobility systems.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an experienced and interdisciplinary supervisory team from School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Birmingham Energy Institute at the University of Birmingham. With the support of their supervisors, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to design the project in line with their own interests, skills, and experience. The candidate will be working with the recently funded CLEETS Global partnership, and have the opportunity to travel and research together with the partners in the UK and US New Global Centre in Clean Energy to be led by the University of Birmingham.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or upper 2:1 degree in the field of transport studies, civil engineering, mathematics, social science or closely related fields. A master’s degree in a relevant area is desirable. A significant proportion of an undergraduate degree and/or master’s degree must have focussed on social research methods and application of statistics for data analysis. Experience of using qualitative and quantitative research methods will be vital.

To apply, please send a CV, a cover letter summarising your research interests and suitability for the position along with two referees.

Informal enquiries prior to application can be directed to Dr Dilum Dissanayake (d.dissanayake@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes:

This is a fully funded studentship. Stipend and tuition fees are paid for 3.5 years. Home-level tuition fees and a stipend matching UKRI minimum are provided. Overseas students are welcome to apply but would be responsible for covering the difference between home and overseas tuition fees if selected.

References:

- COMOUK, 2025. Mobility hubs > Overview and benefits
- Singh, et al., 2025. Exploring the tenability of shared electric mobility alternatives: Will car users adopt eHUBs? - ScienceDirect
- Kavta, et al. 2024 Assessing the spatial transferability of mode choice models: A case of shared electric mobility hubs (eHUBS) in Amsterdam and Manchester - ScienceDirect
- Bosehans et al., 2023. Full article: eHUBs—Identifying the potential early and late adopters of shared electric mobility hubs
- Bosehans et al., 2024. Shared mobility - Novel insights on mode substitution patterns, trip and user characteristics - ScienceDirect

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