PhD Studentship: Waste clays from mining sector as raw material for low carbon cements

Join a world-leading, cross-continental research team

The University of Exeter and the University of Queensland are seeking exceptional students to join a world-leading, cross-continental research team tackling major challenges facing the world’s population in global sustainability and wellbeing as part of the QUEX Institute. The joint PhD programme provides a fantastic opportunity for the most talented doctoral students to work closely with world-class research groups and benefit from the combined expertise and facilities offered at the two institutions, with a lead supervisor within each university. This prestigious programme provides full tuition fees, stipend, travel funds and research training support grants to the successful applicants.  The studentship provides funding for up to 42 months (3.5 years).

Eight generous, fully-funded studentships are available for the best applicants, four offered by the University of Exeter and four by the University of Queensland. This select group will spend at least one year at each University and will graduate with a joint degree from the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland.

Find out more about the PhD studentships click here

Successful applicants will have a strong academic background and track record to undertake research projects based in one of the three themes of:  Healthy Living, Global Environmental Futures and Digital Worlds and Disruptive Technologies.

The closing date for applications is mid-day Friday June 28th 2024 (BST), with interview to be w/c 29th July 2024 (tbc).

The start date is expected to be Monday January 6th 2025.

Please note that of the eight Exeter led projects advertised, we expect that up to four studentships will be awarded to Exeter based students.

THEME - Mineral Security and Sustainability

Project Description 

The construction sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, as the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) accounts for over 8%. Consequently, finding viable alternatives to OPC that are cost effective while having a much smaller carbon footprint is a key focus within the sector. Limestone + calcined clay cements are a promising new development that has been demonstrated to have by 40% less CO2 emissions than OPC and is already undergoing field trials in the UK (e.g., at Network Rail). However, the availability of the key ingredient – calcined clays, remains a bottleneck, impacting the viability and scalability of LC3 in practice. Furthermore, the valorisation of large quantities of biogenic calcium carbonate materials, byproducts of food industries in coastal areas worldwide, have not been fully realised yet. This project aims to investigate the feasibility of low carbon cementitious system including low grade clays (kaolin), which is abundantly available in the UK and is often produced as a waste in the mining sector, and biogenic calcium carbonate, sourcing secondary raw materials for the manufacture of LC3 cements. The project will work mainly with mining companies in Cornwall, with whom the engineering department at Exeter have strong links. The work will have two strands.

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