PhD Engineering Safer Healthcare Water Systems: Optimising Material Leaching and Flushing Strategies

Project Description

At the Institute for Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) at Heriot-Watt University, this exciting project sits at the intersection of public health engineering, water quality science, and healthcare infrastructure. Safe and reliable water systems are essential within healthcare facilities, where water quality can directly affect both clinical operations and vulnerable patient populations.

Modern healthcare buildings utilise a wide range of metallic and polymeric pipework materials. These materials can interact with water in complex ways, releasing organic compounds, additives, metals, particulates, and other substances, particularly during system commissioning and the early stages of operation. Although flushing procedures are routinely carried out before buildings are handed over, there remains limited scientific understanding of how effective these practices are in stabilising water quality and reducing material-derived contaminants.

Working in collaboration with NHS Scotland Assure, this project will investigate the relationships between pipework materials, environmental conditions, commissioning procedures, and water quality outcomes. The research will address important questions surrounding material selection, flushing effectiveness, and the long-term performance of healthcare water systems.

The successful candidate will undertake laboratory-based investigations to characterise commonly specified healthcare pipework materials and evaluate their physical and chemical properties. The project will explore how material composition, ageing, surface characteristics, water temperature, stagnation periods, hydraulic conditions, and other operational factors influence the release of contaminants into drinking water.

A major component of the research will involve quantifying material leaching under representative healthcare operating conditions. The candidate will develop experimental approaches to assess how different pipework materials behave over time and identify the variables that most strongly influence water quality performance.

The project will also evaluate current commissioning and flushing practices used within healthcare construction projects. By assessing the effectiveness of existing procedures in removing contaminants and achieving water quality stabilisation, the research will generate evidence to support improved commissioning strategies for future healthcare developments.

The findings will be used to establish links between system design decisions and water quality outcomes, ultimately producing evidence-based recommendations for material selection, flushing protocols, and healthcare water system design. These outputs are expected to directly inform future NHS Scotland Assure guidance, healthcare engineering standards, and healthcare infrastructure projects across the UK.

You will join our dynamic Public Health and Environmental Engineering research group, working within a multidisciplinary team with expertise in water engineering, building services, environmental health, and healthcare infrastructure. The group has a strong track record of delivering impactful research that informs policy, standards, and industry practice. You will benefit from access to specialist laboratory facilities, close collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, and opportunities to publish in leading journals and present your work at national and international conferences.

Eligibility:

This project is open to candidates who are eligible for home (UK) fee status only.

This project is available to UK students only.

The successful candidate should be highly motivated with a strong interest in applied research. Applicants should hold, as a minimum, a good honours degree (BEng or BSc) with a classification of at least 2:1, or a master's degree (MEng or MSc) in one of the following subject areas:

• Architectural Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Building Services Engineering
• Public Health Engineering
• Healthcare Engineering
• Water Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Material Science
• Or a closely related discipline

Experience in water systems, material science, environmental monitoring, laboratory experimentation, data analysis, or healthcare engineering would be advantageous but is not essential. Strong analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are expected.

Funding:

This fully funded PhD studentship is supported through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) Strategic Studentship programme. These highly competitive awards are designed to develop the next generation of engineering and physical sciences researchers, providing outstanding training, networking opportunities, and access to leading academic and industry partners. As a recipient of this prestigious award, the successful candidate will join a nationally recognised cohort of doctoral researchers tackling strategically important challenges facing society and industry.

This scholarship which will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and provide a stipend (paid in line with UKRI recommended rates; £21,805 in 2026-27) for 42 months. Thereafter, candidates will be expected to pay a continuing affiliation fee (currently £130) whilst they complete writing up their thesis.

How to Apply:

1. To apply you must complete our online application form.
2. Please select PhD Civil Engineering as the programme and include the full project title, reference number (EGIS2026DLA-DK1) and supervisor name on your application form. Ensure that all fields marked as ‘required’ are complete.
3. Once have entered your personal details, click submit. You will be asked to upload your supporting documents. You must complete the section marked project proposal; provide a supporting statement (1-2 A4 pages) documenting your reasons for applying to this particular project, outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project. You must also upload your CV, a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts and an academic reference in the relevant section of the application form.
4. If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.0.If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies. For more information about your application and our English Language requirements, please see Section 10 of our page on English Language Requirements as part of your application.

Enquiries:

Please contact Dr David Kelly (D.A.Kelly@hw.ac.uk)for further information or an informal discussion.

Please contact egis-pgr-apps@hw.ac.uk for technical support with your application.

Timeline:

Applications will remain open until the position is filled and will be reviewed every two weeks, beginning on 30 October 2026. Interviews will be arranged shortly after each review date. Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. A successful candidate must be identified by 31 January 2027. The start date is flexible and will be agreed with the successful candidate, with enrolment expected by October 2027.