PhD: Digital Twin for Climate Resilience Solutions

About the award

Supervisors

Professor Slobodan Djordjevic – University of Exeter – Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Professor Peter Melville-Shreeve – University of Exeter – Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Professor Zoran Vojinovic – IHE Delft

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship co-funded by the partner institution IHE Delft in the Netherlands and University of Exeter Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, to commence on 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This PhD project will aim to develop a prototype of a digital twin (DT) of a water infrastructure network (potentially also other systems) with some of the following functionalities: predictive modelling of hydrometeorological events, enhanced preparedness and response, stakeholder engagement and improved resource and asset management through effective optimisation of infrastructure planning, design, monitoring and adaptation. The ultimate goal of this research will be to enable detailed analysis of climate impacts and optimization of resilience strategies.

For eligible students the scholarship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time. The student will be based in the Centre for Water Systems in Engineering Department in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy and spend most of their time at the Streatham Campus in Exeter. The student will also be expected to take two one-week training courses at IHE Delft.

Research on this project will be desk-based and will require programming skills. It will suit those who are creative and open to new ideas. Occasional visit to a case study area may be needed, though no field work is planned.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit.

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.  

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of civil or environmental engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, geography or related subjects. Applicants will need to have programming skills and experience.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project), maximum one page in length

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Names of two referees familiar with your academic work (you are not required to obtain references yourself; we will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted)

•            If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English

The closing date for applications is midnight on 30 June 2025.  Interviews will be held virtually or on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus on 8 July 2025 afternoon UK time.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5547 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary