Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Newcastle upon Tyne |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students, International Students |
Funding amount: | £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate) |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 3rd June 2024 |
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Closes: | 30th June 2024 |
Reference: | PINZ11 |
Award Summary
The studentship provides 100% fees (Home & international), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000.
Overview
This PhD project will combine bioprocess intensification with data analytics to deliver a novel biological conversion route for waste derived feedstocks into an array of bio-based products.
To effectively address the climate crisis, we must transition towards a net-zero future and embrace a circular economy framework. The process industries play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions, making it crucial for them to adopt sustainable practices. This includes utilising renewable fuels, materials, and resources to decarbonize operations and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Through collaboration between Biofuel Evolution Ltd, the PINZ CDT team, and CPI, this PhD project will investigate the biological conversion of captured carbon dioxide and waste-derived feedstocks into renewable products.
The candidate will first perform data analytics to map the composition of waste-derived feedstocks across domestic and global geographic regions. This will help us examine how seasonality (in particular weather conditions) might affect their fundamental characteristics and how waste streams will differ geographically. By understanding this, the candidate can then design, evolve and optimise highly characterised biocatalysts, microorganisms, and microbial consortia to convert waste-based feedstocks into new products. Finally, using CPI's pilot plant facilities, the PhD student will have the opportunity to assess the scalability and usability of the processes/technologies that they have demonstrated in a laboratory environment, expanding on the breakthroughs and key learnings discovered.
Number of awards: 1
Start date: 17th September 2024
Award duration: 4 years
Sponsor: EPSRC
Supervisors Dr. S B Velasquez Orta and Prof. A Harvey
Eligibility criteria
You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemical engineering or chemistry, but please get in touch if you think your qualification may be relevant). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.
Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.
International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.
How to apply
Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.
Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:
You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:
You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.
Contact details: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk
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