PhD Studentship: Decarbonisation of Coastal Defences Through Adoption of Vegetation-enhanced Coastal Infrastructure

University of Plymouth - Civil Engineering

DoS Professor Alison Raby (alison.raby@plymouth.ac.uk)
2nd Supervisor Dr Martyn Hann (martyn.hann@plymouth.ac.uk)
3rd Supervisor Dr Matthew Perkins (matthew.j.perkins@plymouth.ac.uk)
4th Supervisor Dr Jessica Guichard (jessica.guichard@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year EPSRC funded UDLA PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1st October 2026.

Project Description

Coastal communities face increasing pressure from sea level rise and habitat loss. Seawalls and rock armour provide essential protection but have high embodied carbon costs and often degrade local ecosystems. Natural vegetated coastal habitats, by contrast, support high biodiversity, sequester carbon and attenuate waves, though may not fully protect coastal assets. This PhD project investigates an emerging alternative: enhancing hard coastal infrastructure with vegetation to deliver robust protection and measurable carbon benefits. With 17% of the global coastline already hardened, understanding vegetation-enhanced performance will have significant application.

Working in the University’s world class COAST Laboratory, you will develop and validate physical modelling techniques to represent vegetation on coastal structures and assess its influence on wave overtopping. A systematic experimental campaign will quantify how habitat establishment on rock armour affects performance under UK-relevant conditions. You will then develop a predictive Machine Learning tool to support engineers in incorporating vegetated systems into design stage decision making. Finally, you will apply Life Cycle Analysis to evaluate potential carbon savings using international case studies.

This interdisciplinary project sits at the interface of coastal engineering and marine ecology. The work will primarily focus on understanding the physical aspects of vegetation-enhanced structures; you will receive guidance to understand the ecological aspects. Crucially, this project offers the opportunity to contribute new mechanistic understanding and practical tools that can accelerate the adoption of low-carbon, nature-enhanced coastal protection worldwide. The work is particularly suited to applicants with interests in physical modelling, environmental fluid mechanics, nature-based solutions, and data-driven analysis.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. Due to the nature of the project, successful candidates are likely to be Physical Science or Engineering graduates, but those who can demonstrate technical skills from Environmental Science backgrounds could also consider applying. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a Stipend of £21,805 per annum 2026/27 rate. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

• The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.
• You can’t work full time while receiving a PhD stipend.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Alison Raby.

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24 April 2026.