Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SCES9130324

Department

School of Civil Engineering and Surveying

Start dates

June 2024

Application deadline

17 March 2024

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year PhD to commence in June 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, and will be supervised by Dr Keiron Roberts, Professor Steve Fletcher and Ms Antaya March.

Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Bursary recipients will also receive a contribution of £500 per year towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.   

The work on this project could involve:

  • Identifying barriers and enablers  to the adoption of alternative fuels
  • Exploring and developing policy options to facilitate the uptake of green fuels
  • Working within the Connected Places Catapult to engage with stakeholders from across the transport sector to help with the transition to a net zero future
  • Becoming an affiliate member of UK-HyRES – the UK hub for research challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels
  • Working alongside the University of Portsmouth's growing maritime and decarbonisation research area

The social acceptance of Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuel (H2&ALF) infrastructure projects will play a crucial role in determining their successful deployment (Upham et al., 2015). We invite applications for innovative project proposals designed to explore the policy and regulatory barriers of  H2&ALF projects in the UK. 
 

Research Proposal

In your application we ask you to include a research proposal up to 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.  

Proposals should be grounded in scientific concepts related to policy and regulation, theories and research approaches and outline at least two related studies, which would nominally form the basis of the PhD. 

The studies could be qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods, but they should look to understand the perspectives of one or more key stakeholder groups (e.g. publics, political, business/industry), operating at one or more levels (e.g. national, community, household) and relating to one or more sectors/use-applications (e.g. transport, manufacture, residential heating).

While the projects do not need to be costed, their scale should reflect the available budget for this PhD (up to £500 per annum).

 

Although not mandatory, one option you might consider would be to investigate the potential regulatory and policy barriers to be overcome to enable a transition to alternative low emission fuels. This could involve a literature review, policy analysis, interviews and workshops with key stakeholders. Engagement through organisations such as the Connected Places Catapult and their Hydrogen Innovation Initiative could enable access to key stakeholders across the life cycle of future fuels within industry, regulatory agencies, governments and NGOs. This work could be further supported by the Global Plastics Policy Centre policy evaluation framework will be adapted and amended to undertake a global policy analysis focussed on the energy transition to alternative fuel.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

  • You are expected to have appropriate background knowledge, computer-based skills, a high level of analytical ability and critical thinking.
  • Training in and/or experience of using qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for data-collection
  • Interest in the hydrogen economy, climate change mitigation, and Net Zero/decarbonisation
  • Willingness to work for a period of time within the Connected Places Catapult

How to apply

We encourage you to contact Dr Keiron Roberts (keiron.roberts@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SCES9130324 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.