Key Information
Academic Supervisors: Prof C Li and Prof E de Souza Neto
Industry Supervisor: Mr Bill Hewlett.
Expected Interview Date: July 2022
Background:
Founded in 1966 by the Government, the British Board of Agrément (BBA) is the UK’s major authority for providing reassurance in the construction industry. Its premium product is the Agrément Certificate, a fitness-for-purpose attestation covering all sections of the Building Regulations and a range of other performance requirements including durability.
As a not-for-profit organisation, BBA reinvests in the industry as a whole, making it the ideal industrial partner to work with in addressing climate change and sustainability targets requiring the UK building stock to become more efficient and resilient, supporting the whole supply chain in becoming more innovative.
Project Aims:
This project aims to deliver more-comprehensive innovation assurances for manufacturers and higher-degree of reassurance for consumers. This will be achieved by integrating computer modelling into BBA’s day-to-day Agrément (Approval) practices. By building on the success of computer modelling in manufacturing and IT sectors, this project can boost construction product innovation with introspective performance assessments, greatly enhancing the testing and certification efficiency, and enabling evidence-based assessment for existing buildings.
The project student will work as part of a large research team and collaborate closely with the industrial partner BBA. The nature of the research will be largely on material characterization using the advanced material analysis suites at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from which the student will be able to build digital models, ready for conducting the subsequent computer simulations.
COATED M2A recognises applicants have a variety of backgrounds with different educational and research experiences. We do not expect applicants to be proficient users of any techniques /equipment mentioned, at the time of application. Our focus is to upskill our participants and training will be provided.
COATED M2A in the Faculty of Science and Engineering is a Swansea University initiative which provides postgraduate research training in partnership with industry, providing access to world class laboratories and a wealth of academic and industry expertise. COATED M2A is committed to providing top quality research opportunities within an inclusive environment, funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Swansea University and Industry partners.
The Athena SWAN charter recognises work undertaken by institutions to advance gender equality. The College of Engineering is an Athena SWAN bronze award holder and is committed to addressing unequal gender representation. Applications from women and other under-represented groups are particularly welcomed. All applications will be anonymised prior to short listing.
Are you considering making an application and have questions you’d like answered? Come and have a 1-2-1 chat with us at our applicant surgeries. We encourage all applicants to review our hints and tips document found here
Sponsoring Company: British Board of Agrément
Eligibility
Candidates must normally hold a minimum undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), or a combination of degree and equivalent experience to the same level.
Normally, we would expect candidates to have met the University’s English Language requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5+ in each component) by point of application.
Full eligibility can be found at https://materials-academy.co.uk/eligibility/
Funding
Fees at UK rate and Stipend of £12,500, both for the period of one year.
For full details on funding eligibility, please refer to the Materials and Manufacturing Academy (M2A) Website. Student Eligibility | M2A (materials-academy.co.uk/eligibility).
Candidates must have the legal right to live/work in the UK at the start of their studies (student visas do not apply)
Closing Date: Subject to number of applications
Start Date: 1st October 2022
Applications and informal enquiries about this studentship should be directed by email to: