Embedding Block Chain Technology within a Facilities Management Common Data Environment

Application Deadline: Wednesday 31^st March 2021 at 23:59.

Start Date: Monday 6^th September 2021

Contact for Application Enquiries: Dr Chris J. Roberts and Prof David J. Edwards

Email: chris.roberts@bcu.ac.uk; and david.edwards@bcu.ac.uk

Website: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/engineering/courses/edms-research-degrees-phd-2020-21

The Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (CEBE) would like to attract prospective PhD Students to an exciting digital opportunity. The research seeks to investigate essential core information system data flows, processes and actors that constitute an advanced digital facilities management solution within a common data environment (CDE). Particular focus is placed on blockchain technological solutions to be adopted to preserve IP rights inextricably linked throughout the supply chain management of a built environment asset throughout its whole life-cycle – from inception through to demolition. We invite applications in the following areas of research interest:

• Development of a novel proof of concept for adopting blockchain technologies.
• Protection of rich data and information generated through the entire building life-cycle, inclusive of:
  • rich geometric and semantic ‘as-designed’ BIM models generated prior to construction;
  • ‘as-built’ BIM models supplied to facility managers (as part of soft landings);
  • ‘post-occupancy evaluations (POE); and
  • ‘building in-use’ information provided from members of the supply chain, accessed and used by facilities management (for example, building management systems (BMS)).
• ‘Bottom-up’ bespoke and tailored solution to the specific needs and requirements of Facility and Asset management practitioners rather than ‘top-down’ approaches which attempt to force an IT system as a ‘one-size-fit-all’ approach for all users of a CDE.

Applicants are invited to submit a preliminary research proposal of up to 2,000 words, fully referenced, clearly identifying their area of interest and a specific project within it, why it is important, and how they would research it.  Projects linking any of these areas of interest would also be welcome.

Person Specification:

Successful applicants will have graduated (or be due to graduate) with an undergraduate first-class degree and/or MSc distinction in a relevant field of science (i.e. IT or facilities/asset management). Preferably, applicants must also demonstrate a good knowledge of blockchain technologies or applicable digital technologies.

How to apply:

To apply, please complete the project proposal form ensuring that you quote the project reference, and then complete the online application where you will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement as a pdf document.

Applicants are invited to explore our webpages to find more information about the course entry requirements (https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/bsbe-research-degrees-phd-2020-21) and our Research Community (https://www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our-phds)

International applicants must submit a valid International English Language Test System (Academic IELTS) or equivalent, with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0 or equivalent https://www.bcu.ac.uk/international/your-application/english-language-and-english-tests/accepted-qualifications)

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