PhD studies with the Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Institute
BEST's supportive and vibrant research community will help you reach your acadmic potential.
BEST is currently accepting PhD students within the following technical and non-technical areas:
- Climate change
- Geotechnics
- Water and waste water
- Sustainable communities
- Flooding
- Waste and waste management
- Powered engineering
- Sustainable planning
- Coastal erosion
- Water treatments
- Urban renewal
- Low carbon
- Sustainability
- Social sustainability
- Pavement engineering
- Renewable energy
- Facilities management
- Urban renewal and regeneration
If you are interested in any of the above research areas, or if you have an interest similar to those listed above, please contact Andy Shaw or contact us using the prospective student enquiry form.
What to expect as a PhD student
As one of BEST’s PhD students you will be welcomed into a supportive and pioneering research environment that has been carefully constructed to help you succeed.
Not only will you receive outstanding teaching, BEST’s rigorous PhD programme also provides expert guidance from experienced researchers, who have a first-rate reputation within the Research Excellence Framework. For example, in the latest research assessment (Research Excellence Framework 2014), 52% of BEST’s output was classified as world leading or internationally excellent.
Furthermore, as one of BEST’s postgraduate students, you will benefit from the Centre’s partnerships with industry leaders, which provide postgraduates with high-impact research and match funding opportunities.
In addition to receiving match funding from industry, BEST has numerous other sponsorship avenues, such as the Dean’s Scholarship, bursaries and the Hardship Fund. You will also have the opportunity to teach during your time at Liverpool John Moores University, having completed the Three Is programme, which equips you with a recognised teaching qualification.
As a PhD student at BEST, you will be encouraged to get involved with all aspects of research, from producing publications to attending national and international conferences. You’ll also be encouraged to attend Liverpool John Moores University’s Faculty of Research Week and monthly panels, which have speakers from industry.
Having completed their PhDs, BEST’s postgraduates pursue a variety of careers, excelling within industry and academia. Some of BEST’s PhD students set up their own consultancies, making use of BEST’s start-up support, or go on to secure TSB Awards and SMART Awards.
"I recommend other prospective PhD students apply to study at BEST because the academics are highly experienced, the laboratory facilities are fabulous and the research community friendly. During my time here, I have published high-quality technical papers in international journals and achieved a Chartered Engineer qualification from the Engineering Council UK."