Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SCS50480625

Department

School of Civil Engineering and Surveying

Start dates

October 2025

Application deadline

16 June 2025

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2025. 

 The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Technology and will be supervised by Dr Keiron Roberts, Professor Fay Couceiro and Professor David Hutchinson.

Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). Bursary recipients will also receive £2,000 over the project to cover project costs/consumables.
 

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:

  • Determining emission and pollution reduction from maritime shore-side power adoption
  • Analysis of large datasets and their interpretation
  • Laboratory testing of water, air, and sediment samples to track environmental change - use of ICP-OES and other analytical techniques.
  • Acoustic monitoring of the environmental benefits of engine shut-down at berth
  • Real-time environmental monitoring using B4T sensors and digital twin technologies
  • Policy engagement with DEFRA, DfT, IMO, and maritime industry stakeholders
  • High-impact journal publications

 

Portsmouth International Port is launching one of the UK’s most ambitious decarbonisation efforts, enabling large passenger ferries and cruise ships to shut off their diesel engines and connect to clean shore-side electricity. This PhD will lead the environmental evaluation of this transformation, building on the £21 million project and supported by the new Centre for Environmental and Renewable Energy Solutions (CERES).

The operational phase of this decarbonisation system begins in June 2025, and this PhD will span the full three-year demonstrator phase — a critical period when vessels begin using shore power for the first time. You will build on an existing environmental baseline (2024–25) and lead a rare, real-time analysis of the system’s environmental effectiveness.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the decarbonisation of one of the hardest yet most essential sectors: maritime transport. You will work closely with engineers, environmental scientists, port operators, policymakers, and community stakeholders — evaluating impacts across marine, terrestrial, industrial, and social systems.

Your research will include air, water, sediment, and acoustic monitoring to measure pollutants such as NOx, SOx, particulates, and heavy metals. Real-time data from B4T sensors will feed into AI and digital twin systems, which you will help develop and apply — classifying emissions, identifying pollution hotspots, and modelling environmental change.

You will be embedded in a team with a long-standing collaborative relationship with Portsmouth International Port. Your work will feed directly into UK Government strategies on clean maritime transport and have immediate impact in shaping ongoing operations, policy decisions, and future infrastructure investment. This is an internationally significant project offering a once-in-a-career chance to be at the centre of transformative environmental change.

 

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. 

If English is not your first language an English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

 

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in environmental science, engineering, or a related discipline. The ideal applicant will possess:

  • Proven analytical skills, including proficiency in data analysis and interpretation
  • Strong presentation skills
  • Experience in fieldwork, particularly in environmental monitoring and sample collection
  • Laboratory skills related to the analysis of environmental samples (e.g., water, air, sediment), specific training will be given
  • Familiarity with using large data sets and secondary data for analysis
  • A keen interest in sustainability, maritime decarbonisation, and policy impact

 

How to apply

We’d 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 . 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 SCS50480625 when applying.Please note that email applications are not accepted.