PhD in Water Chemistry: Maximising PFAS Forever Chemical Removal from Drinking Water

Start date: 29/09/2025    

Studentship funding 

This fully funded studentship is sponsored by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe) and three UK water companies (Anglian, Thames and Yorkshire Water), this PhD studentship will provide a bursary of £24,000 (tax free) and cover registration fees for four years.  

Type of opportunity

Fully-funded studentship

Eligibility & Related Project Details

Type of studentship: CDT 

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK or UK and International

Duration of Award: 4 years

1^st Supervisor: Peter Jarvis                   

2^nd Supervisor: Irene Carra

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Introductory Paragraph

This amazing fully funded PhD opportunity comes with an enhanced stipend of £24,000 per annum and will deliver important outcomes for drinking water quality in the UK. Through determining the physico-chemical properties that influence the removal of an important group of micropollutants from drinking water - the so called forever ‘PFAS’ chemicals - the project will develop resilient strategies for improved operation of water treatment systems.

Main Copy (advised structure)

The per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found in many source waters in the UK, which is requiring the development of a number of treatment schemes across the country, estimated to cost many tens of millions of pounds. Recent changes to regulation will push many more water treatment works into the requirement for additional treatment for PFAS.

Currently, the sectors’ favoured option is to utilise granular activated carbon (GAC) for removal of PFAS due to its widescale use, alongside a reasonable level of removal for a range of PFAS. While it is known that different PFAS have different affinity for removal by adsorption on GAC, it is increasingly being shown that the background matrix, plays a very significant role in controlling the adsorption of PFAS onto GAC, through competition and complexation processes.

The project is an exciting collaboration between Cranfield University and three UK water companies (Anglian, Thames and Yorkshire Water). Working with our fantastically engaged project partners, this work will enable water companies to develop strategies for control of PFAS in order for them to meet the regulatory requirements for minimisation. Fundamentally, this project will deliver important new scientific insights into the partitioning of pollutants onto adsorbents.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as chemistry, environmental science or an engineering subject. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest in applied scientific research. Prior experience in the water sector would be advantageous but is not essential.    

Funding

This studentship is open to both UK and international applicants. However, we are only permitted to offer a limited number of studentships to applicants from outside the UK. Funded studentships will only be awarded to exceptional candidates due to the competitive nature of the funding.

How to apply

For further information please contact:
Name: Prof Peter Jarvis
Email: p.jarvis@cranfield.ac.uk

Academic profile link: Professor Peter Jarvis      

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.

For information about applications please contact: To be completed by Marketing

Keywords: drinking water, PFAS, adsorption, chemistry, chemical engineering

Application deadline: 19/03/2025 

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