Design of net zero strategies and best practices for manufacturing and service organisations (research and experimentation in complex scenarios with competing priorities) PhD

Applications are invited for doctoral level research into sustainable manufacturing operations and management. More specifically, the candidate will undertake research activities into eco-design, eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness in manufacturing and service organisations in support of Sustainable Development Goals.

We want to generate useful and usable tools and techniques that can help manufacturers control and reduce their environmental footprint while retaining their economic performance in their value chains. Understanding and controlling scope 3 emissions for many manufacturing companies is a technically challenging process due to the exponential number of variables that one has to account for, when making carbon footprint assessments for products and processes.

The tools, methods, technologies and practice gap is considerable for a company to accelerate required changes and there is likely an opportunity for advanced digital technologies to contribute to this effort. The development of data driven approaches further relies on the adoption potential and company readiness to use it. This observation likely opens an opportunity for social and behavioural sciences to enable transitions as such. Through this PhD opportunity researchers will take the opportunity to engage with companies in our network and beyond to better understand where the knowledge and practice gap is and from there to identify, design and develop appropriate interventions and experimentations.

Cranfield Manufacturing and Materials has been following the ambitious strategy of developing a roadmap for Sustainable Manufacturing and Materials Sectors for 2050 by applying fundamental science and thought leadership via conceiving and maturing the concepts of Smart, Clean and Green manufacturing solutions agnostically across all sectors and through all tiers of the supply chain and with SMEs as well as OEMs. This is to support the national aspiration of Net Zero UK by 2050.

Within the Theme there are a number of University and National activities for example:

• Cranfield is the lead University in the UKRI Transforming the Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub (TransFIRe) http://transfire-hub.org a £10 M activity launched in July 2021 to support the journey of the cement, ceramic, chemical, metal, glass and paper industries on their journey to net-zero.

The research objectives for the Manufacturing Theme are to:

• Build on the strong synergy between manufacturing, materials, design and management supporting the transition from product service systems (PSS) to through life engineering services as a contributor to high value manufacturing.
• Enhance our commitment to manufacturing and materials’ technologies (composites, graphene, thermal barrier coatings, welding and laser technology and other advanced materials) in the context of sustainable, resource-efficient manufacturing.

To meet these objectives, the main research strategies are:

• To enhance operations efficiency (smart) by researching the topics of business model innovation, resilient supply chains and reverse logistics, remanufacturing, cloud manufacturing, sustainability as part of manufacturing company key performance indicators (KPI), circular economy and de-centralised manufacturing.
• To enhance process efficiency (clean) by researching sensors and big data for factory management, product service systems, factory modelling and artificial intelligence for eco-efficiency, internet of things for traceability and authenticity, intelligent micro-factories and autonomous manufacturing systems.
• To enhance resource efficiency (green) by researching energy efficient manufacturing, development of materials production with low carbon footprint, closed loop materials, industrial symbiosis and circular economy, real-time life cycle analysis and advanced materials.

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

At a glance

• Application deadline27 Nov 2024
• Award type(s)PhD
• Start date27 Jan 2025
• Duration of award3 years
• EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
• Reference numberSATM490

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in engineering or management or related discipline and possibly interested/experienced in industrial applications for sustainability.

Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield 

At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing. We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum.

Funding
This is a self-funded project, any interested applicants or any potential sponsor (local government or industry) will need to provide their own financial support in relation to tuition fees, research support fees and living expenses.
Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network.  This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact: 

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