This studentship will offer the student a chance to work with experts in the areas of system engineering, life-cycle analysis, environmental modelling, big data processing, renewable energy, and electrical networks.
- Qualification Type: PhD
- Hours: Full Time
- Title of project: Modelling the economic and environmental cost of raw materials for the global energy transition to 2050 using integrated life-cycle assessment of renewable energy systems and energy network modelling
- Placed On: 1st February 2022
- Closes: 15th May 2022, or until places have been filled.
Overview
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the Department of Engineering.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on developing an optimisation framework to quantify the impact of the decreased availability of materials and the environmental cost of extracting these materials on the greenhouse emission trajectories for large-scale electricity production (renewable energy systems), electricity transportation (the grid) and electricity consumption systems and devices (eg electric vehicles) within the established IPCC socioeconomic climate change pathways to 2050.
The renewable energy systems, the electricity grid and the electricity consumption systems and devices are reliant on the increased use of materials (copper, lithium, rare earth minerals etc.), and the availability of these materials and efficiency of their exploration is decreasing.
This research will use large quantities of available environmental data and expert understanding of the renewable energy systems, the electricity grid and life-cycle analysis to explore this problem.
Intelligent data processing and decision making algorithms will be used to develop insight into the positive environmental impact, the real economic cost and the performance consequences of the redistribution of material use as we approach 2050.
This needs to be measured against the need for the successful achievement of climate change impact reduction and greenhouse gasses reduction targets.
This research will offer the student a chance to work with experts in the areas of system engineering, life-cycle analysis, environmental modelling, big data processing, renewable energy, and electrical networks.
The student will develop understanding of the current climate change policy framework, will have opportunity to participate in discussions and conferences in this field and to develop skills and knowledge which are sought after by a range of industry, academic and governmental institutions.
The student will be encouraged to publish results of their research at leading international conferences and in top-tier environmental journals. They will be encouraged to communicate directly with potential or actual industrial partners.
Eligibility and requirements
The candidate should ideally have either an MSc or an MEng degree (or equivalent, or higher) in any engineering discipline.
Candidates with BEng degrees in Engineering or MA/BSc/BA degrees in Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental sciences, Mathematics, Economy or similar disciplines, with a strong interest in climate change research and environmental modelling are encouraged to apply.
The candidate should possess a passion for climate change research, should have sound mathematical education and some experience with data analysis. Knowledge of electrical engineering, or programming, or chemical engineering processes would be a plus.
A candidate who demonstrates exceptional aptitude in one or more of these areas (as evidenced, for instance, through strong academic credentials or research papers in reputable, peer-reviewed journals/conferences) may be accorded preference.
A doctoral candidate is expected to meet the following pre-requisites for their PhD:
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of their research area
- Achieve and demonstrate significant depth in at least a few chosen sub-areas relevant to their primary research area
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, including a critical assessment of their own and others’ research
Having published high-quality papers in reputable peer-reviewed conferences and journals will be an advantage for the candidate.
Funding
The studentship is for 3 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees (Home and Overseas) and an annual tax-free stipend of £12,000.
Each student would also have the opportunity to earn around £2.2K pa on an average (max. is around £4.3K pa) through a teaching assistantship. We shall prioritise these scholarship holders while allocating the teaching assistantships.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, you are encouraged to email initial informal enquiries to Dr Veselin Rakocevic.
Visit our Electrical and Electronic Engineering research degrees web page for further information on making a formal application.
When submitting your application, enter the title “Modelling the economic and environmental cost of raw materials for the global energy transition to 2050 using integrated life-cycle assessment of renewable energy systems and energy network modelling” and you will automatically be considered for this studentship.
You do not need to submit a proposal as part of your application as the project has already been outlined.
The online application can be found in the ‘How to apply section’ in the web link above and should include the following supporting documents:
- Copies of Degree Certificates and Transcripts in official English translation - original will be requested before an offer is made.
- Official work e-mail addresses (not private ones) for two referees (one of which must be an academic).
- Proof of English Language proficiency (minimum average score of 6.5 IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four components) if English is not your first language.
- Passport.
The outcome of the selection process should be announced by the end of June. The successful candidate will formally start their doctorate either in July or in October 2022.
For queries regarding the application process, please email the School.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
City, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture, for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or social class. For more information on our approaches to encouraging an inclusive environment, please see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages.