About us
We are creating an outstanding place-based research and training environment led by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, bringing together stakeholders across disciplines and focusing on maritime energy generation, distribution and environmental impact. N0MES tackles a wide range of challenges that combine science, national goals, and industry needs.
Both universities and over 30 maritime energy sector partners, will support N0MES’ postgraduate researchers to pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research projects – each defined by one of our maritime partners together with academics from either university – to address four vital net zero challenges currently facing the Northwest, the UK and beyond.
Theme A
Energy generation using maritime-based renewable energy (e.g. offshore wind, tidal, wave, floating solar, hydrogen, CCS).
Theme B
Distributing energy from offshore to onshore, including port and hinterland, side impacts and opportunities.
Theme C
Addressing both the short and long-term environmental impacts of offshore and maritime environment renewable energy generation, distribution and storage.
Theme D
Decommissioning and lifetime extension of existing energy and facilities.
Why do researchers choose the N0MES CDT?
No fees
If you’re from the UK N0MES CDT fees are completely free – all tuition fees are covered. Non-UK students, however, may have to pay the additional costs of international fees.
Monthly allowance
The N0MES CDT offers funded projects, alongside a generous monthly living allowance and an annual research grant.
Training grant
Projects are developed in collaboration with our industry partners (30 plus) or an academic supervisory team from one of the partner universities. All projects are supported by EPSRC.
Welcoming environment
Voted the Student Crowd’s best student city for 2023, Liverpool is an excellent city for students to grow. Renowned for its warmth, liveliness, and diverse array of social and cultural attractions.
Empowered to succeed
The N0MES CDT will empower graduates to communicate, research, and innovate across disciplines and will help develop adaptable leaders who will be able to pivot between projects and sectors as employer priorities and scientific priorities evolve.
Research & conferences
Each postgraduate researcher will join a cohort that participates in bespoke training and skills development, designed in consultation with our industry partners. This element of your PhD will be a key part of your journey, helping you become a future leader in your field.
Upon completion N0MES CDT graduates will be:
Skilled at communicating and thinking across scientific, engineering, technological, environmental, economic, and social dimensions of net-zero solutions
Prepared to approach research and innovation challenges with curiosity, clarity, compassion, choice, and courage
Equipped with the skills and confidence to transition seamlessly between academic research and industry
Ready to demonstrate cultural competence and leadership to foster inclusive work environments
Lifelong members of a research and innovation community and strong advocates for sustainable solutions
Our unique attributes
All PhD studentships (for UK students) are funded by the N0MES CDT. Postgraduate researchers will receive a maintenance grant of £20,780 per year for living costs, which is paid in monthly instalments. This may rise by a small percentage annually to cover increased living costs.
UK students will also receive support for their tuition fees. This is currently £4,786 per year, which covers UK students’ full fees only.
Given that Liverpool is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of offshore wind turbines, has a wealth of maritime history and has the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s commitment to net zero, it is the perfect setting for the N0MES CDT.
The N0MES CDT has a broad community of academic supervisors and partners, already defined and in situ waiting for the right students to train, nurture and develop into future leaders.
We will ensure that all N0MES CDT postgraduate researchers appreciate and understand the broad range of scientific and engineering concepts underpinning cross-disciplinary academic research.
Many of the activities which N0MES CDT postgraduate researchers undertake will be available to the wider academic communities at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and beyond, benefitting the wider academic and postgraduate research community.
The N0MES CDT aligns (together with our partner universities) to the government’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Both partner universities have world-class research facilities and hold prestigious titles and accolades.
Both partner universities put the student at the heart of its values.
Please note: tuition fees for non-UK students are considerably higher (currently £31,250 per year at the University of Liverpool and £18,250 per year at Liverpool John Moores University). International students will be required to fund the difference themselves, unless stated otherwise in the advert.
Our Current Projects: Cohort 1
Danah Albuhairi
Partner
Simon Gilliland
Flood Technology Group
Supervisors
Dr Luigi Di Sarno & Professor John Bridgeman, University of Liverpool
Project Title
Resilient and Sustainable Modular Steel Platform for Critical Components Exposed to Extreme Loadings in the Maritime Sector
This project focuses on the development and optimisation, through design-by-testing, of an innovative modular steel platform that can adapt to rising water levels. The innovative system can be implemented as new solution to protect key components of energy-related critical infrastructure/facilities, especially for production and storage in the maritime sector. Such new technology will guarantee enhanced structural performance and minimise losses due to failure and/or collapse. The research aims to analyse, re-design and perform experimental tests, both in structural laboratories and in-situ, of steel modular frames that are being used as resilient structural systems for critical energy-related facilities in coastal regions.
Ahmed Balata
Partner
Tom Curwell
Cammell Laird Shipyard
Supervisors
Professor Andy James Plater, Dr Iris Cagatay & Professor Joe Spencer, University of Liverpool
Project Title
Transitioning the Shipbuilding and Repair Sector to Net Zero: A Systemic Analysis of Carbon Impact
The research will assess the carbon credentials of shipbuilding and repair and aims to fully understand and quantify the shipyard’s carbon emissions across its entire operations. The purpose is for the shipyard to recognize where the largest uses of carbon are across both shipbuilding and repair activities, and to identify where changes in practice or interventions can be made to make substantial reductions. The research will form the cornerstone of future green upgrades to the shipyard and will therefore have a direct impact on the maritime sector’s ability to achieve its Maritime 2050 targets.
Yanchi Tang
Partner
Tim Robbins
RWE Renewables UK
Supervisors
Dr Yan Zhou & Professor John Bridgeman, University of Liverpool
Project Title
Two-phase Modelling of Flocculation Process due to Offshore Installations in Coastal Waters
The aim of this project is to model the process of the flocculation and settling process of the cohesive sediment plume generated from the seabed due to offshore installations. A two-phase sediment transport model with a coupled flocculation model will be used to consider the floc size, density, settling velocity and suspension concentration evolution under coastal hydrodynamics, including the influences of wave and current. This research will contribute to the understanding of sediment-pollutant feedback mechanisms in coastal areas while developing open-source computational tools for sustainable marine infrastructure planning.
Nazmus Shakib
Partner
Wenjuan Wang & Jake Rigby
MarRI-UK and BMT
Supervisors
Dr Jonathan Higham, Prof. Andrew James Plater & Dr Matt Fulton, University of Liverpool
Project Title
Maritime Autonomy for Safe, Fuel Efficient Port Operations
The research will examine the role of autonomy in achieving safe, fuel-efficient ship operations, and in particular the effective combination of machine and human domains in busy, hazardous port environments. The research aims to establish robust functional allocation for effective human-machine operation of autonomous vessels to assure vessel and crew safety, and to achieve optimal routing and manoeuvring to reduce energy use and prevent economic losses. The research approach will test the robustness of autonomous systems in dynamic and uncertain port environments, and will develop the use of cases that demonstrate verification and validation, incorporate human values and ethics, and meet regulatory requirements.
Tegan Quinn
Partner
Dr Andrew Bellamy, Tarmac Marine Ltd
Supervisors
Dr Rachel Smedley, Professor Andy Plater & Dr Charlotte Lyddon
University of Liverpool
Project Title
Vulnerability of Coastal Energy Infrastructure to Climate and Environmental Change
This project looks at the dynamics of mixed sand and gravel barriers in the English Channel, particularly evidence preserved in the geological record from the seafloor and aims to provide evidence of gravel beach response to accelerated sea level rise to inform the future response of barrier beaches that front energy infrastructure and aims to understand the past dynamics of the English Channel drowned barriers during historic sea level rise. To achieve these aims, the project employs a combination of data and laboratory work. The data sets are seismic profiles, which use sound waves to distinguish rock types as well as evidence of past morphological changes, and bathymetry (marine topography) which is a dataset showing the distribution of marine landforms for a particular area of the seabed.
Hruthik Vandanpu
Partner
Professor Kate Black, Atomik AM & Nicholas Abson, Cygnus Atratus
Supervisors
Professor Maulik Patel & Dr. Stuart Edwardson
University of Liverpool
Project Title
Developing Low-cost Catalysts for Sea Water Electrolysis and Advanced Manufacturing of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Among the various sources of clean energy, hydrogen is considered as an ideal candidate as a clean fuel to carry and convert extra energy from intermittent renewable energy sources. While the electrolysis of pure water using noble metal catalysts is a well-established technology, its scalability for large-scale hydrogen production remains economically unfeasible. This necessitates the development of innovative, low-cost, and durable solutions for sustainable hydrogen generation, especially from seawater – a widely available and underutilized resource. This research will focus on developing durable, low-cost electrocatalysts tailored for seawater splitting. Using advanced additive manufacturing techniques, these catalysts are engineered for enhanced performance and longevity in saline environments, ensuring a practical approach to harnessing marine resources.
Stevie Howe
Partner
Michael Norbury
Network Rail
Supervisors
Professor Neil Macdonald, Dr Charlotte Lyddon, University of Liverpool
Project Title
Assessing How Climate Change will Impact Cumbrian Coastal Lines
The aim of this project is to develop an understanding of the coastal, estuarine and fluvial hazards that are presented along the Cumbrian coast, between Heysham and Carlisle. This research will highlight the connections between climatic change and increased risk to rail networks in the region, that are strategically important for energy transport. The initial objective is to produce a wider understanding of the research area, and the key coastal, fluvial and estuarine risks that are apparent. The primary focus will be on setting up a regional coastal model on DELFT-3D, using wind, wave, and tide data to simulate SLR and coastal flooding in the future. The safe and efficient transport of energy materials is crucial in the UK’s goal of reaching net-zero. Therefore, it is vital that the risks posed to this stretch of track, because of climate change, are understood. By producing a regional model, the identification of vulnerable areas will produce foundations for further study. Any problem areas that are highlighted by the model, can be investigated in greater detail. This methodology also allows the research to be malleable and change direction depending on initial results and the needs of Network Rail.
Yuchen Gu
Partner
Dr Dafni E. Sifnioti & Dr Yuting Chen, EDF Energy
Supervisors
Dr Charlotte Lyddon, Professor James Cooper & Professor Andy Plater University of Liverpool
Project Title
Impact of Flooding Erosion from Extreme Rainfall on EDF’s Fleet of Nuclear Power Stations
The aim of this project is to develop a predictive modelling framework to assess the impact of extreme rainfall on nuclear power stations. While significant progress has been made in coastal flood risk assessment, freshwater flooding and erosion risks remain underexplored. This project will use advanced modelling techniques to evaluate how extreme rainfall affects nuclear infrastructure by simulating runoff, erosion, and sediment transport. The findings will generate probability maps of at-risk structures and evolving landscapes. By integrating UK Climate Change Projections, the study will provide a long-term risk assessment, supporting the development of climate-resilient strategies for the sustainable management of nuclear power stations.
Jiale Xiang
Partner
Dr. Nabil Hifi BAE
Supervisors
Dr Eddie Blanco Davis Prof. Zaili Yang Dr Xuri Xin, Dr Huanhuan Li, Liverpool John Moores University
Project Title
Resilience assessment and optimization of global maritime transportation networks
While fully autonomous vessels remain far from widespread adoption, recent advancements in maritime technology strongly indicate that autonomous shipping will shape the industry’s future. As Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) increasingly incorporate advanced technologies, the challenge of effectively integrating human expertise into their development and operation has gained significant attention from researchers. This study explores the synergy between human competencies and autonomous technologies, aiming to bridge the gap between seafarer expertise and automation. technologies, aiming to bridge the gap between seafarer expertise and automation. Specifically, it identifies the competency gaps that seafarers face in adapting to advanced technologies aboard autonomous ships and proposes targeted training recommendations to support future workforce development.
Boyuan Zhang
Partner
Professor Lu Zou, Freeport
Supervisors
Dr Huanhuan Li, Dr Xuri Xin, Prof. Zaili Yang, Liverpool John Moores University
Project Title
Enhancing maritime situational awareness for autonomous shipping
As autonomous shipping continues to evolve, maritime situational awareness becomes paramount for safe and efficient navigation in complex and dynamic environments. This project focuses on developing advanced situational awareness systems for autonomous vessels by integrating machine learning, historical data analysis, and real-time data processing to enhance decision-making capabilities. By analysing interactions between ships, environmental conditions, and navigational risks, the system aims to accurately predict potential hazards and vessel movements. This will enable autonomous ships to make informed, proactive decisions. Additionally, this research will address compliance with collision regulations (COLREGs) and develop intelligent algorithms for collision avoidance in complex waterways. To verify its effectiveness, the system will undergo testing with historical maritime incidents and real-world traffic scenarios, ensuring its practical application in improving maritime safety, operational efficiency, and the overall reliability of autonomous shipping technologies.
Arslan Amin
Partner
Mr Peter Moores & Mr Greg Martin, Sefton Council
Supervisors
Dr Ran Wang, Professor Trung Thanh Nguyen, Liverpool John Moores University
Project Title
AI as Pollution Detectives: Machine Learning to Uncover Hidden Sources of Pollution in Port Cities (for a Net Zero Future)
Air pollution has significant impact on human health, increasing the risk of heart and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer and strokes. Yet WHO data show that 99% the global population breathe in polluted air. The need to identify sources of pollution is even more pressing in port cities, where higher and more diverse ranges of outdoor air pollution have been reported due to ship emissions, cargo handling activities, land-based cargo traffic, and surrounding industrial zones.
This project aims to address the problem of identifying pollution sources in port cities by harnessing the power of cutting-edge machine learning / data analytics techniques and untapped data sources, allowing local authorities and public health bodies to target regulations and interventions to protect public health. It will also investigate the impact of net zero strategies generally associated with future port cities, such as green shipping, renewable energy and regeneration, on outdoor air pollution and its sources.
Sai Htet Aung
Partner
Ms Victoria Chadderton & Ms Jennifer Mckeown, Wirral Council
Supervisors
Dr Ran Wang, Professor Trung Thanh Nguyen, Dr Ivan Gee & Professor Ian Jones, Liverpool John Moores University
Project Title
Port City Particulates: Exploring the Intersection of Indoor Air Quality, Human Behaviour, Public Health and Maritime Net Zero Strategies
