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/
The project is funded in collaboration with Network Rail, the entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Great Britain's railway infrastructure, with an extensive network spanning thousands of miles and its complex web of tracks, stations, signalling systems and more, and is fully committed to advancing research and innovation in the field of infrastructure and built environment to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability.
Network Rail manage the UK's rail assets including many embankments and cuttings and possess a large amount of data from a variety of sources on their condition and performance. Failures of these slopes have a substantial impact on the rail network in terms of both safety and economic losses from speed restrictions and an understanding of the factors influencing the risk of failure is hence critical to focus remediation work on key locations within the network.
The project will aim to understand from available databases and modelling what processes and conditions drive the hotspots of failures seen around the rail network. These factors may include local geology and hydrogeologic conditions both from natural topology and the performance of drainage systems. As many of these failures are driven by periods of high rainfall, the effects of climate change on changing risks to the network will also be investigated. The project will use Network Rail data to identify common factors amongst clusters of slope failures and will then use Centrifuge and Finite Element modelling to investigate why these factors are critical and the influence of future climate changes on risk. This understanding will then allow machine learning or AI models to be used to identify risk hotspots within the network and to focus remediation efforts on these locations.
For project-specific enquiries please e-mail Professor Stuart Haigh at skh20@cam.ac.uk. For general enquiries, please email cdtcivil-courseadmin@eng.cam.ac.uk.
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.net-zero-fibe-cdt.eng.cam.ac.uk/Admissions/MResPlusPhD
Applications should be made online via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egegpdfib stating project title and supervisor's name. Please note there is a £20 application fee.
Early applications are strongly encouraged as an offer may be made before the stated deadline.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
Key information
Department/location
Department of Engineering
Salary
Reference
NM51577
Category
Studentships
Date published
2 November 2026
Closing date
14 April 2027