Joint Industrial and EPSRC-funded PhD studentship in the Synthesis and Scale-Up of Novel Biodegradable Materials, in partnership Croda Ltd

Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship, with an October 2024 start, at the University of Nottingham within the laboratories of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and School of Chemistry. The project will focus on the synthesis of biodegradable polymers from renewable feedstocks and the development/optimisation of scale-up processes to manufacture them. The project will focus upon clean and energy efficient approaches to the processing of these materials including supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) and microwave (µW) technologies.

This studentship is associated with a major collaborative project between Nottingham, Croda Ltd and the University of York and will be conducted in close collaboration with our partners. The project will have a specific focus on exploiting green/sustainable chemistry and processing and will provide a range of experiences in synthesis of small and polymeric molecules for application in home and personal care products as well as the development towards large-scale manufacturing processes. As this PhD is a collaboration between Nottingham, York and Croda there will be the possibility of research placements of up to six months at the industrial partner’s facilities.

The School values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The School of Chemistry holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing women's careers in science. You can read more about what this means at www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan/ and on our website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/about/athena-swan.aspx. The University of Nottingham is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Further details:

We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they have the ability to succeed in the programme to which they have applied, and that they will benefit from and contribute to the learning, research and social environment at the University. We value diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity and flexible working patterns. Applications are welcome from candidates who have non-traditional academic backgrounds.

Supervisory Team: Prof Derek Irvine, Prof Steven Howdle and Dr Vincenzo Taresco

Funding notes: The studentships are fully funded for 42 months. Stipend at the RCUK rate (currently £19,237 per annum) and tuition fees will be paid at the UK rate. International students must pay the difference between UK and international fees. 

Entry requirements: Applicants should have, or expected to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent if from other countries) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related subject. An MChem/MSci-4-year integrated Masters, a BSc + MSc or a BSc with substantial research experience will be highly advantageous. Experience in organic/polymer synthesis and/or material analysis will also be beneficial. EU applicants who can confirm residency in the UK for at least three years before October 2024, may also be eligible for a full award.

Closing Date: July 31^st . Review of applications will start in August 2024, and the position will be filled as soon as possible thereafter; hence you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, students should contact: informally derek.irvine@nottingham.ac.uk, vincenzo.taresco@nottingham.ac.uk or steve.howdle@nottingham.ac.uk  after which a formal application must be made via the University web site. To apply, please complete the online application form available at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx including your CV and quoting “Croda PhD Studentship” in the personal statement section. 

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