Decarbonisation of coastal defences through adoption of vegetation-enhanced coastal infrastructure

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

Apply 

To apply please use the online application form. Simply click on the online application link below for PhD Civil Engineering.
Within the research section of the application form, in the following field, please add: 
‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ add EPSRC DLA 26-10 Raby.
When the application asks for a research proposal, please just upload a blank document. A research proposal is not needed for this programme as you are applying directly to a studentship project.

Application guidance 

It is important that you follow the instructions above or your application for this studentship may be missed and therefore will not be considered.
Before applying, please ensure you have read the Doctoral College’s general information on applying for a postgraduate research degree.
For more information on the admissions process please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Director of Studies (DoS): Professor Alison Raby
Second Supervisor: Dr Martyn Hann
Third Supervisor: Dr Matthew Perkins
Fourth Supervisor: Dr Jessica Guichard 
Applications are invited for a 3.5-year EPSRC funded UDLA PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 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 Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (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 Master's 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.
How to apply
To apply, please click the ‘Online application’ link above. Please include the following documents with your application:
  • CV / résumé
  • Personal Statement (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
  • Degree certificates and transcripts (please provide interim transcript if you are still studying). 
  • Contact information for two referees familiar with your academic work.
  • If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language with an IELTS Academic of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent).
Please also see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.
For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.