PhD Studentship - Doctoral Training Award (full time)

Developing a transport system for the future

Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds

Applications are invited for a full time PhD studentship to commence from November/December 2009.  The studentship will support research in one of the following areas within EPSRC's transport related themes:

Ø   Transport and energy: Electric and hybrid cars could contribute substantially to the required reduction in emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The technology to do this is largely in place.  Crucial issues for the market penetration of this new technology depend on who will purchase these vehicles, acceptance of new technologies and the impacts of supporting policies such as fiscal incentives. Other technological advances aimed at improving interior acoustics could, however, result in undesirable impacts on energy via unwanted responses such as increased speeds. The issue is therefore to understand the interaction between developments in technology and  driver behaviour in order to maximise the full range of benefits.

Ø   Understanding travel behaviour/choices: Our understanding of travel choices and behaviour is fundamental to delivering a transport system for the future. This understanding is also needed to ensure future transport has users at the heart of the system. Improved understanding will depend on advances in data collection, survey design and modelling.  There are many challenges open in this field covering stated preference methods, survey design, use of new technology in data collection to the fundamentals of modelling choices. The areas of application cover all modes and sectors.

Ø   Freight: Mode choice in freight transport is usually studied in isolation. However, mode and shipment size are closely linked decisions. Large shipment sizes usually coincide with higher market shares for non-road transport, whereas there is a high correlation between road transport and small shipment sizes. Decisions on shipment size (or delivery frequency) need to be studied taking a logistics approach (e.g. reducing inventories by more frequent, just-in-time deliveries) that encompasses the more limited transport costs approach.

Ø   Air/High speed rail: Understanding passengers' choices between air travel and high speed rail is an important element in meeting future demand for travel. The choice between air and high speed rail is a complicated one, involving sensitivities along various dimensions, including not just fares and journey times, but also various more qualitative attributes such as comfort and ease of access. It is conjectured that different sectors of society place a range of values on some of these qualitative attributes that have yet to be established.

Ø   Transport policy and the low carbon society:  Decarbonising of the private car fleet is a key plank in the UK Government's strategy for delivering a low carbon transport system. A major part of this strategy is to encourage cities and regions to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a core network of electric vehicles. How this will be implemented and understanding the willingness to adopt carbon reducing behaviour is key to the success of current policy aims.

For a full list of potential projects see our Topics at www.its.leeds.ac.uk/restrain/topics.php

Eligibility

UK applicants are eligible to apply for a studentship award of fees plus maintenance of £13,290 p.a tax free. EU applicants are eligible to apply for a studentship award of fees only. International applicants are not eligible for this studentship although we welcome applications for an academic place at any time and can advise on any appropriate studentships.


Applicants should hold a minimum of a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours Degree and/or a Masters Degree or equivalents. Evidence of proficiency in English language is also required (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) where English is not the applicant's first language.  Assessment of applications is based on academic merit and in competition with other applicants. ITS welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Further information including how to apply
Initial enquiries can be made via Joanne Davies, Student Support Manager
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 5326              Email:  [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Further details are available from the ITS website www.its.leeds.ac.uk/restrain<http://www.its.leeds.ac.uk/restrain>/fees.php
Closing date for applications is Monday 14th September 2009.



Joanne Davies
Student Support Manager
Institute for Transport Studies

Tel:  +44 (0)113 343 5326
Fax: +44 (0)113 343 5334
email:  [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>