Name of School Contact: Dr. Gordon Mitchell/Prof. Martin Tillotson/Dr. Louise Walker          

Tel: +_44 (0)113 3432295

Email: G.Mitchell<στο>leeds.ac.uk; m.r.tillotson<στο>leeds.ac.uk; L.Walker<στο>leeds.ac.uk

Closing Date: 30th January 2015

Degree Level: Research Postgraduate                

Scholarship Type: Home/EU           

Number available: 1             

Funding Type:   Research Council             

Further Information:

SUDS provide a means of controlling urban diffuse pollution, reducing flood risk, incidence of combined sewer overflow (CSO), and may also have amenity value. They are most commonly implemented with respect to new build, however, even if SUDS for new build result in no net change to the diffuse load and discharge regime of the site in question, the legacy of extant urban development means that flood risk and diffuse pollution problems will not be addressed, There is therefore a clear need to retrofit the existing built environment with SUDS.

Retrofit SUDS pose a greater challenge than new build. There is significant uncertainty over where in the built environment retrofit SUDS are needed. This is important as, compared to new build, there are fewer regulatory drivers, hence we need to be confident that investment is made in the right place. Whilst work exists to show where diffuse pollutant hotspots occur, this has not been integrated with information on areal contributions to flood risk. Retrofit SUDS also face greater physical (e.g. space, slope, infiltration capacity), economic (e.g. land price) and social (e.g. public acceptability) constraints hence the opportunities are fewer. In general, we can assume that areas of high retrofit SUDS need occur where the implementation constraints are also highest. There are therefore likely to be a series of sites within any built environment which are optimal for retrofit SUDS considering need and feasibility. The proposed research seeks to determine how best to identify where, in a given urbanised catchment, the optimal sites for retrofit SUDS are.

The 3.5 year scholarship is supported through the EPSRC Doctoral Training Programme, water@leeds and Arup, and covers £3,975 UK/EU tuition fees, and an annual maintenance of £13,863.

Application Procedure: For details about how to apply, seewww.leeds.ac.uk/info/125187/applying_for_research_degrees

Please state clearly in the funding section of the application form that you wish to be considered for the 'SUDS schemes : An appraisal of value and benefit distribution' project. In the research information section please state Dr. Gordon Mitchell/Professor Martin Tillotson/Dr. Louise Walker as reference. For enquires about the application process please contact the Graduate School Officephd<στο>engineering.leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 8000

School Web Address: https://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/civil/ or http://www.wateratleeds.org          

Minimum Academic Requirements (if English is not your first language, then candidates must also meet the University's English language requirements):

Applications are invited from candidates who hold a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree (or equivalent) in a geographical or civil engineering discipline with a strong water related focus. Knowledge of GIS and urban hydrology would be an asset, along with strong communication and team working skills.        

Any Additional Requirements:

UK applicants will be eligible for a full award paying tuition fees and maintenance. European Union applicants will be eligible for an award paying tuition fees only, except in exceptional circumstances, or where residency has been establish for more than 3 years prior to the start of the course. Please check the EPSRC link for eligibility www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/