PhD Studentship: Microbial Hydroponics - Novel Hydroponics Using Microbial Fuel Cells

Supervisory Team: Yannis Ieropoulos, Yue Zhang, Paul Kemp 

Project Description

Mi-Hy is a circular Hydroponic-Bioelectrical System BES) for urban agriculture that biologically integrates Carbon (C) & Nitrogen (N) metabolism (C&N) in plants to optimise their transformation (to animal feed) & valorisation. The project is part of an EU EIC Pathfinder Challenges programme, working with 4 other EU partners to combine Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology that produces electricity using electrons derived from biochemical reactions, with hydroponics that involves growing plants without soil. The idea is to use MFC biofilm as a prosthetic rhizosphere for plant roots (which utilize symbiotic relationships between fungi & bacteria to obtain nutrients from the environment) to optimize N utilisation (synthesis of chlorophyll & amino acids), averting the need for chemical nitrogen sources (artificial fertilizers) & turning C into biomass. Mi-Hy’s only inputs are atmospheric CO2, light & (household) wastewater stream. The specific PhD project will focus on designing and developing novel MFCs that can be directly integrated with existing hydroponic systems that aim to achieve high power output and help capture CO2 as well as reduce N & phosphorous (P) from wastewaters. There will also be a microbial electrolysis cell as part of the wider system, that is powered by the MFC to perform microbial electrosynthesis (MES) from wastewater (like the MFC) during darkness when photosynthesis is not taking place. Since MFC is a development of the same community of microbes as in the MEC (& rhizome community), these ecosystems can be technologically combined as one ecosystem, without the need for external, (fossil-fuel based) energy or C&N sources. 

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Yannis Ieropoulos, Water & Environmental Engineering Research Group, Email: i.ieropoulos@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2845. 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). 

Closing Date: Applications should be received no later than 31 August 2024 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place. 

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £18,622 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Yannis Ieropoulos. 

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date 

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

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