PhD project in scalable cloud-based simulations for urban planning in megacities
We are offering a self-funded PhD position with our Department of Computer Science at Brunel University of London, focusing on scalable cloud-based simulations for urban planning in megacities.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
If you have any questions about the project or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please reach out to Dr. Derek Groen at derek.groen@brunel.ac.uk.
Research area
This project focuses on repurposing epidemiological models to develop simulations that support urban planning, specifically addressing population growth and infrastructure needs in megacities. You will enable systematic exploration of different design scenarios and implement rigorous verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification procedures.
Project description
Urban planning in megacities presents unique challenges due to rapid population growth and increasing infrastructure demands.
This PhD project aims to explore how epidemiological models can be adapted to create simulations that assist urban planners in addressing these challenges. The simulations will focus on predicting population growth and infrastructure needs, providing valuable insights for urban development.
To make sure these simulations are useful for urban planners, the project will involve systematic exploration of various design scenarios and rigorous verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification procedures.
You'll have the opportunity to use the UK national supercomputer for large-scale simulations or investigate the use of cloud infrastructures in conjunction with the FabSim3 automation toolkit to enable automated workflows.
Key focus areas
As a PhD candidate, your potential focus areas include:
- Adapting epidemiological models for urban planning simulations
- Conducting large-scale simulations using supercomputers or cloud infrastructures
- Implementing verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification procedures
- Developing automated workflows with the FabSim3 toolkit
Research approach
This project employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining epidemiological modelling with urban planning and computer science to improve simulations for megacities. You will:
- Explore the use of epidemiological models in urban planning
- Collaborate with experts in computer science, urban planning, and epidemiology
- Develop comprehensive simulations to support urban development
Who We're Looking For
Your passion for exploring and advancing this field will be essential, as will your innovative thinking to develop creative solutions to complex problems. Strong interpersonal skills will enable you to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of researchers.
This project requires some prior experience with Linux-based platforms and cloud infrastructures.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:
- Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
- Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
- Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.
Good luck!
This is a self funded topic
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.
Meet the Supervisor(s)
Derek Groen - I am a Lecturer in Simulation and Modelling at Brunel University. I'm also an Emeritus Fellow for the EPSRC-funded
2020 Science Network, a Fellow of the
Software Sustainability Institute, and a Visiting Lecturer at the
Centre for Computational Science at University College London. I completed an MSc in Grid Computing at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in 2006, and a PhD in Computational Astrophysics both at the UvA and Leiden University in November 2010. After my PhD I worked as a post-doctoral researcher on EU projects about distributed multiscale computing (MAPPER) and high-performance computing towards the Exascale (CRESTA). I received a 1-year position as a Fellow of 2020 Science in January 2015, and funded myself for two months through an EPSRC eCSE to work on new approaches for domain decomposition. I joined Brunel University in September 2015 to become a Lecturer and I currently collaborate in the EU ComPat project about multiscale computing towards the Exascale.
I have published >20 peer-reviewed journal papers in venues such as IEEE Computer, IEEE CiSE, Journal of Computational Science, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A., Physics Review E., the Astrophysical Journal and eLife. In addition, I was second author of the
first ever feature article in Advanced Materials, which was on multiscale modelling of clay-polymer nanocomposites and received news coverage from the Daily Telegraph and the BBC. I currently run
Science Hackathons to efficiently establish new interdisciplinary collaborations.
Related Research Group(s)
Modelling and Simulation - Investigating how modelling and simulation can be supported by research into high-performance computing, e-infrastructures, cyberinfrastructures, cloud computing and web-based simulation.