About the project
This PhD project aims to develop low-carbon, high-performance cementitious materials to combat marine corrosion and reduce global CO₂ emissions. Using advanced material characterisation techniques, this project explores microstructure evolution and long-term durability for sustainable ocean infrastructure.
This project offers an opportunity to pioneer low-carbon concrete solutions for marine environments, addressing the urgent need for durable, sustainable infrastructure. It aims to create resilient, eco-friendly concrete technologies.
You will:
- design and optimize novel cementitious materials with reduced carbon footprints and superior corrosion resistance, addressing concrete’s significant contribution to global carbon emissions
- investigate the hydration mechanisms and microstructure evolution of these materials using advanced multiscale characterization techniques
- assess the durability of the developed materials through rigorous laboratory testing and real-world marine environment trials, enabling data-driven material optimization
You will have access to world-class facilities at Southampton’s Boldrewood Innovation Campus and collaborate with global partners such as Nanyang Technological University or Tsinghua University. You will gain expertise in advanced experimental and numerical methods and publish in high-impact journals. Finally, you will develop transferable skills through workshops, grant writing, and industry engagement.
Entry requirements
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- civil engineering
- mechanics
- materials Science
or a related field.
Essential skills:
- high motivation, self-direction, and a proactive approach to research
- excellent communication and teamwork skills for effective collaboration
- IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers
Desirable skills:
- experience in cementitious materials, concrete technology, numerical modelling, or experimental testing
- proficiency in coding and computational tools such as MATLAB or Python
- strong academic writing skills for producing high-quality research papers
- prior involvement in research projects
Fees and funding
This project is funded by Lanchester studentships.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- choose the relevant PhD in Engineering
- add name of the supervisor in section 2
Applications should include:
- personal statement
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts to date
- a research proposal (1 or 2 pages)
Contact us
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
If you have a general question, email our doctoral college (feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk).
Project leader
For an initial conversation, email Dr Ye Li (Ye.Li@soton.ac.uk).
