University of Warwick – School of Engineering

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Start date: 6th January 2025

Funding for: 3.5 years

Supervisor: Dr Bintian Lin and Professor Stana Zivanovic

Application deadline: The application deadline for this position is 1st December 2024. Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications at the earliest opportunity. The application process will be closed upon the identification of a suitable candidate.

Project Description:

With the rapid advancement of auditory and visual rendering techniques, virtual reality (VR) is increasingly utilised in the construction industry, allowing building users to evaluate the built environment in a digital virtual world. However, effective building assessment often requires more than vision and hearing. Immersive technologies provide innovative solutions to understanding human sensations of environmental stimuli, such as noise and vibrations, resulting in buildings that better meet people's needs and comfort. This PhD project will employ a novel interdisciplinary methodology to address the challenges of accommodating a growing population while reducing carbon emissions to achieve the Net Zero 2050 goal.+

The aims of this project include:

1. Developing a digital virtual simulator of the built environment using immersive techniques such as VR.
2. Establishing a database of human responses to environmental stimuli (e.g., visual, noise, vibrations) by collecting experiences from the digital virtual building simulator.
3. Providing new methods to quantify human comfort for the development of more sustainable and serviceable building structures.

We are seeking a candidate who is enthusiastic about immersive technologies like VR. As a PhD student, you will work within the Humans and Structures Lab at the School of Engineering. You will develop the knowledge and skills to investigate the behaviour of both humans and building structures through digital modelling and experimental testing, using facilities such as the Gait Lab and a testbed footbridge. You will also engage with the latest developments in immersive technology from industry partners and interdisciplinary supervisory team.
We are aiming to fill this position sooner rather than later, so if you are interested contact Dr Bintian Lin as soon as you can at Bintian.Lin@warwick.ac.uk.

Scholarship:

The award will cover the tuition fees at the UK rate £4,786, plus a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for 3.5 years of full-time study. International candidates are welcome to apply but would be required to meet the fee difference (approx £24,600).

Eligibility:

UK candidates with a first-class or 2.1 honours degree at BSc or MSc in Civil Engineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Sport Science, Psychophysics Science and similar. A strong interest in immersive technologies such as VR would be beneficial.

How to apply:

Candidates should submit a formal application, details of how to do so can be found here https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/postgraduate/applypgr/ 

Application form 'Course search':

Department: School of Engineering

Academic Year: 2024/25

Type of Course: Postgraduate Research

• Engineering (MPhil/PhD) (P-H1Q2)

In the application form funding section, enter: Source: VR-Immersive Technologies

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Bintian Lin as soon as you can at Bintian.Lin@warwick.ac.uk.

---

The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

---