PhD Studentship - GREEN: Growing Rare Earth Elements in the Northeast

Award summary

100% fees covered for four years and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate) with £17,000 Research Training Support Grant.

Overview

ReNU⁺ is a unique and ambitious programme that will train the next-generation of doctoral carbon champions who are renowned for research excellence and interdisciplinary systemic thinking for Net Zero. The ReNU⁺ vision is that they will become living examples of a highly skilled workforce delivering an equitable energy transition so that Net Zero is inclusive for all.

We seek an enthusiastic and curious PhD researcher for an interdisciplinary project to build U.K. green technology infrastructure by transforming legacy mine waste into a secondary source of critical minerals, required for the technologies that will decarbonise the global economy. One challenge for the UK is the absence of primary rare earth elements (REE) primary deposits and the severe environmental implications of conventional REE extraction processes. Research has shown that shales adjacent to coal beds often have significant REE enrichments. In this project, you will combine field and laboratory work to characterize REE enrichments in the UK’s coal mine waste, while optimizing REE phytoextraction using plants and microbial communities.

Applicants who would like a project with a large component of field and laboratory work are encouraged; you should enjoy applying chemical and/or biology concepts to find engineering solutions to sustainability problems.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 1^st October 2025

Award duration: 4 years

Sponsor: EPSRC

Name of supervisor/s

Dr Lucia Rodriguez-Freire (Newcastle University)

Dr Shannon Flynn (Newcastle University)

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 (inc. chemistry, physics, engineering). 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

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8208F
• leave the ‘Research Area' field blank
• select ‘PhD Energy Materials' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section: 

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form.
• The studentship code ReNU25_4 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When asked for a research proposal, please upload a competency assessment form instead. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

 In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• An up to date CV

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details

Dr. Rodriguez-Freire lucia.rodriguez-freire@newcastle.ac.uk

Dr. Flynn Shannon.flynn@newcastle.ac.uk

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