Overview
This is a four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) studentship funded through the Cambridge EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment: Unlocking Net Zero (FIBE3 CDT). Further details can be found at https://www.net-zero-fibe-cdt.eng.cam.ac.uk/
Research Focus
Major roads and railways often create barriers that isolate wildlife populations, disrupt movement between habitats, and reduce biodiversity. Green bridges (landscaped crossings designed to reconnect fragmented ecosystems) offer a promising solution, but their construction can be carbon‑intensive and costly. This PhD project, funded in collaboration with Ramboll, looks at how we can design and locate green bridges so they deliver maximum ecological benefit with minimal environmental cost.
* Explore how structural and material choices influence the carbon footprint and ecological performance of green bridges.
* Investigate optimal placement of green bridges to maximize connectivity, considering species movement, landscape configuration, and transport corridor constraints.
* Apply ecological assessment, structural analysis, carbon modelling, satellite monitoring, and spatial planning tools.
Key Deliverables
* Generate evidence‑based guidance to support more effective green bridge design and implementation.
* Identify opportunities for lighter, lower‑carbon structures.
* Develop criteria for ecological effectiveness.
* Provide insights into retrofitting options across existing transport networks.
Student Profile
Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a high 2.1 degree, preferably at Masters level in a related discipline. An ideal candidate is likely to be a civil engineer who is data‑inclined for processing satellite data, a network of bridge information, etc.
Funding & Eligibility
Fully‑funded studentships (fees and maintenance) are only available for eligible home students in the first instance. A limited number of international students can be considered for funding at a later stage in the recruitment process. Further details about eligibility and funding can be found at https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/career-and-skills-development/funding-for-postgraduate-training/eligibility-for-studentship-funding/, https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees, https://www.cambridgetrust.org/scholarships/.
Application Process
* Applications should be made online via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egegpdfib with course code EGEGR3 and Project: Green bridges for ecological connectivity with Dr Sakthy Selvakumaran. Please note there is a £20 application fee.
* Applications will be reviewed soon after they are received, hence early applications are strongly encouraged as an offer may be made before the stated deadline.
Contact
For project-specific enquiries please e‑mail Dr Sakthy Selvakumaran (ss683@cam.ac.uk). For general enquiries, please email cdtcivil-courseadmin@eng.cam.ac.uk.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
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