Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%. In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, the School was ranked first for research environment in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning, with 95% of research rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its influence on society, the economy and policy. A key part of the School’s ethos is the extensive links with industry. Many research projects are sponsored and applied by organisations in the civil engineering, construction and transport sectors, and Loughborough graduates are extremely sought after by industry and commerce world-wide. Applications are invited for a Research Engineer to undertake a joint research project between High Speed Two (HS2) Limited and Loughborough University, via a prestigious four-year Engineering Doctorate programme, leading to the award ‘Doctor of Engineering’. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to develop innovations which will help in the design, delivery and operation of High Speed Two – the largest construction project in Europe – and ensure it is one of the world’s most technologically advanced railways. Working under an umbrella theme of “Innovation for whole life value”, High Speed Two Limited is working with Loughborough University to help optimise the design, build and operation of the HS2 railway. The research project’s aim is to develop and validate a framework for embedding circular economy principles into HS2 projects through: a) assessing sustainability and circular economy requirements and processes currently being applied in HS2 Phase 1, and b) identifying and categorising HS2 assets and materials in relation to their potential for circular economy performance optimisation. The outputs will enhance HS2 stakeholders’ understanding and practice of circular economy, and help establish a culture of continuous improvement.