Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is widely used for numerical simulation in Engineering, for example in modelling deformable solids. While significant advances have been made in many aspects of the method, most FEM implementations rely on standard polynomial interpolations and Gaussian numerical integration. Recent results in numerical integration for higher order polynomial FEM interpolations show that significant improvements in computational efficiency can be obtained by developing customised formulations. The effort involved in developing such customised formulations, however, currently limits the applicability of this approach. This PhD project will focus on developing an automated framework for developing, testing, and selecting non-standard interpolation and integration methods leading to highly efficient FEM formulations, adapted to the characteristics of the input problem. Established heuristic optimisation approaches will be complemented by novel AI/agentic techniques to locate optimal formulations across a wide search space. The research in this project will be based on existing preliminary work and proof-of-concept tools using both computer algebra software for symbolic calculations (Maple) and numerical computation software (Matlab, Python or Julia). Specific new results obtained through the automated framework will be implemented and tested within commercial computational mechanics codes, such as the Abaqus FEM software.

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. Applicants must demonstrate an appropriate background in numerical analysis, programming, mechanics of materials and/or computational mathematics.

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere as well as self-funded students.

Competition (EPSRC) funding may be available for an exceptional candidate. Link below for the further details.

Further information and other funding options.

We are inviting applications for a PhD position dedicated to the design and efficient operation of datacentres systems from the point of view of building services engineering and impact on energy networks. This project seeks to optimise datacentre’s geographical locations and implementing innovative strategies to manage and recover energy effectively.

Candidates will engage in research that combines building services engineering, environmental data analysis, urban analytics, and sustainability principles. This includes exploring efficient HVAC systems tailored for the unique demands of datacentres and the integration in wider energy networks.

The research will critically evaluate the impact of geographic and climatic factors in datacentre designs to harness maximum renewable energy usage and optimum cooling strategies. It will also explore the impacts from the datacentre to the nearby microclimate conditions and methods for waste heat recovery and its reutilisation within building systems.

This interdisciplinary project is ideal for candidates motivated to innovate in the field of sustainable technologies and with a background in building services engineering, environmental engineering, urban climate, or geographical information systems and urban analytics. As such, it will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team, with Dr Daniel Fosas and Dr Desen Kirli from the School of Engineering at The University of Edinburgh, and Professor Qunshan Zhao from the University of Glasgow.

A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. The PhD candidate will be introduced to comprehensive training options. The candidate will have the opportunity to become a teaching assistant following formal training, as well as opportunities to contribute to wider training and outreach activities. Further training in both academic and interdisciplinary skills will be available as part of Edinburgh’s Institute for Academic Development. 

Prepare documentation required for conditional admission in the PhD programme. 

• Engineering PhD application requirements 

Please note that this requires a formal 2-page research proposal.

• How to write a proposal 

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, and we wish to particularly encourage applications from groups underrepresented at this level. To apply to this opportunity, you will need to:

1. Meet entry requirements. Note this mainly relates to 

(a) have a degree classification of at least 2:1 or equivalent, 

(b) have funding (deadline end of January) or plans to apply to our scholarship programme (deadline January 12th 2026), 

(c) meet English requirements. Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.

Further information and other funding options.

Dr. Jasotharan Sriharan is a Research Associate in Composite Design and Testing at The University of Edinburgh and a member of the MATTERS Group. His research focuses on developing advanced design tools to accelerate material and structural innovation.

He is experienced in the design, manufacturing, and testing of architected materials structures. His current research interests include:

• Inverse design of architected materials and structures
• Local buckling of thin-walled composite structures
• Multifunctional cellular materials
• Mechanics of advanced cellular and sandwich structures
• Additive manufacturing techniques for advanced materials

• Bachelor of Engineering (Auckland), 1st Class Honours
• Doctor of Philosophy (Sydney)

• Mechanics and behaviour of particulate solid
• Handling and characterisation of granular solids and powders
• Silo pressures and solids flow
• Finite element and discrete element modelling

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Chang Liu is a PhD student supervised by Drs Stephen Welch and David Rush at the Edinburgh Fire Research Centre (The University of Edinburgh) working on the topic of 'Characterisation of Travelling Fires in Large Compartments Using CFD modelling', following on from my research on the pertinent issues regarding the cooling phase of travelling fires as a Structural & Fire Safety Engineering (SAFE) MSc Student at Edinburgh. He has expertise in carrying out numerical simulations (mainly CFD-based) of full-scale compartment fire tests under the High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment e.g. ECDF Eddie and ARCHER2, c/o UKCTRF project. Having background in both civil and fire safety engineering, he also has experience in characterising thermo-mechanical response of fire-exposed structural members.

Edinburgh Fire Research Centre: https://www.fire.eng.ed.ac.uk/

• PhD in Fire Safety Engineering, The University of Edinburgh 2022-present
• MSc in Structural and Fire Safety Engineering, The University of Edinburgh 2019-2021

• CFD-Based Computational Modelling of Fire Related Problems in the Built Environment
• Fire Behaviours in Large Open-Plan Compartments (Predominately With Wood Cribs as Fuels)
• Pyrolysis and Ignition of Cellulosic Materials
• Enclosure Fire Dynamics

Room 1.4, John Muir Building, https://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/maps?building=0605