EPSRC CDT MRes + PhD in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment

By the end of the MRes course, the students will have a strong foundation of broad research skills and have developed a proposal for a PhD project.  This will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes as follows:

Knowledge and understanding

1. Fundamentals of theory and experimental methods in net zero as relevant to future infrastructure and built environment
2. Understanding the fundamental challenges and trends in future infrastructure and built environment
3. A broad knowledge of relevant multi-disciplinary dimensions in the areas of e.g. architecture, land economy, management, business, economic, social science, physical sciences and computer science
4. Familiarity within one or more specialist themes (i) Existing and Disruptive/New Technologies; (ii) Radical Circularity and Whole Life Approach (iii) AI-Driven Digitalisation and Data and (iv) Risk-Based Systems Thinking and Connectivity
5. Good grasp of industry relevant research and innovation in design, construction and management
6. Understanding business practice and tools, technology transfer and exploitation in the areas of civil engineering design and construction

Intellectual skills

1. Be able to solve technical problems in the area of net zero.
2. Be able to apply generic modelling, simulation and experimental skills to complex infrastructure problems. 
3. Be capable of critically evaluating technical problems and examining alternative approaches and technologies to solve them.
4. Be able to address multi-disciplinary and broader aspects of infrastructure problems.
5. Be able to identify the state-of-the-art in a given area, review relevant research findings and provide a detailed and provide a critical overview.
6. Be able to deal with complex research issues both systematically and creatively, make informed judgements in the absence of complete data and in unpredictable situations.
7. Be able to understand commercial exploitation routes and evaluate options for technology transfer and/or implementation.
8. Plan, execute and critically evaluate original and individual pieces of research work.

Transferable Skills

1. Prepare formal reports in a range of styles suitable for research dissemination (e.g. journal paper, conference paper, oral and poster presentations, literature review, extended project report).
2. Reason critically, exercise independence of thought and communicate ideas.
3. Manage time and work to deadlines, work effectively both independently and in groups, and assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others.
4. Ability to find information and learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider context throughout their career.  In particular carry out literature reviews and patent searches, using library and online tools.

PhD topics will be centred around four thematic enablers: (1) existing and disruptive/new technologies, (2) radical circularity and whole life approach, (3) AI-driven digitalisation and data, and (4) risk-based systems thinking and connectivity. PhD project topics will be advertised in advance and allocated at the interview stage.'

Learning Outcomes

The first year of this programme, the MRes in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment, has training and research elements. Graduates of the MRes course will have developed skills and understanding in the following broad areas:

• the fundamentals of net-zero infrastructure research methods, experimental methods and theory within the context of future infrastructure and built environment;
• challenges and trends in net-zero infrastructure;
• cross-disciplinary aspects of infrastructure engineering problems, including knowledge of research and methods in inter-related disciplines (eg civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing and information engineering; architecture; computer science; land economy; management and business; the physical sciences; the social sciences);
• developing a personalised development plan that will maximise the benefit of the MRes year towards the PhD study;
• producing a detailed PhD proposal, following a topic selection at the application stage;
• teamwork, through cohort-based projects;
• academic research skills gained through practical experience engaging in mini-projects;
• external exposure via strong links with industry, including secondments as well as potential secondments to international academic partner centres;
• business practice and tools; and
• technology transfer and exploitation.

By the end of the PhD, successful students will have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the area of net-zero infrastructure.

Continuing

All students who pass the MRes year will proceed to study for the PhD if they have demonstrated adequate research potential (such potential is normally demonstrated through the MRes research project and by passing the MRes degree). Note that, as for all Cambridge PhDs, the first year of the PhD (the year after the MRes) is still probationary and students will be required to pass a first-year assessment.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Days will be taking place in early November. These are great opportunities to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.