EPSRC CASE PhD Studentship – Improving risk and reliability assessments of networked infrastructure using advanced graphical models
Supervisor: Dr Alireza Daneshkhah, Cranfield Water Science Institute
Duration of award: 3 years
Award type: PhD studentship
Application deadline: 10 January 2014
Start Date: 1st March 2014
EPSRC and UKWIR CASE Industrial PhD Studentship of up to £17,600 p.a. for 3 years plus UK/EU tuition fees* is available.
This is an EPSRC Industrial CASE Studentship which is jointly funded by the EPSRC and UKWIR (UK Water Industry). This project will examine how the performance of water distribution networks (which are normally affected by many factors, including physical, operational, maintenance and environmental conditions as well as the conditions in and around the distribution network) can be improved by using the advanced graphical models. Many of these factors exhibit dependencies which are poorly understood or represented in risk assessment and system reliability analyses. In this multidisciplinary study, we aim to use these models to tackle this issue and improve the accuracy of corresponding risk and reliability assessments, and preventive maintenance to manage these assets more efficiently.
The study will be conducted in close cooperation with the water industry, and the student should work closely with the water industry engineers/experts in some stages of the study.
The relevant areas of this study are Bayesian statistics, graphical models, data mining, Machine learning, reliability analysis, risk analysis and utility asset management.
Entry Requirements
You should hold either a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree in Statistics, Computing science, Mathematics, Utility asset management, Civil Engineering or other relevant science or engineering subjects. A Master level degree in the related subjects with good programming skills in C, R, Matlab or WinBugs is preferable. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
Funding
EPSRC and UKWIR CASE Industrial PhD Studentship of up to £17,600 p.a. for 3 years plus UK/EU tuition fees and support for travel and research training * is available
*To be eligible for this funding, applicants must have:
· no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’, and
· have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and
· not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).
All EU nationals are eligible to receive a fees-only award if they do not have ‘settled status’ in the UK.
All non-EU nationals are very unlikely to be eligible for this funding under the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997
How to apply
For initial enquiries please contact Dr. Alireza Daneshkhah ([log in to unmask]).
If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the online application form.
· Applications are not accepted by email.
· Please specify project title and reference number on the application form.
· Early applications are encouraged.
For further information contact us today:
School of Applied Sciences
T: +44 (0)1234 754086
E: [log in to unmask]
Dr Alireza Daneshkhah
Course Director of Utility Asset Management
Cranfield Water Science Institute
Cranfield University, VINCENT Building
Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0AL
Tel: +44 (0)1234 758289 Ext 8289
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
.