To complete a postgraduate research programme, youll need to be dedicated and passionate about your area of study. But itll be well worth it. Being a doctoral student is challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. Infrastructure, just like humans, cant fight the ravages of ageing. From potholes to corroding steel in bridges, we are all aware of how our built environment doesnt always perform as it should. Consequently, while it may be the shiny new structures which grab the headlines, about half of the UK's annual construction budget is spent on repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure. If we want our built environment to deliver effectively for the next 50 to 100 years, we need to ensure that the materials being used are appropriate and will deliver performance for their intended lifespan and beyond.