PhD in Supressing Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Sewage Sludge Treatment - Supporting the Water Industry Meeting Net-Zero

Start date: 25th September 2023 

Eligibility: Fee status (Uk/EU & RoW)

Duration: 4 years

1st Supervisor: Dr Yadira Bajón Fernández     2nd Supervisor: Dr. Monica Rivas Casado

Reference No: swee0218

Sponsorship

Sponsored by EPSRC through the Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe) Centre for Doctoral Training and multiple UK water utilities, this programme will provide an enhanced bursary of £21,000 (tax-free) plus student fees for four years. The sponsorship also includes project consumables and a package to support training needs and attendance to national and international conferences of the successful applicant. 

This exciting fully funded PhD, will investigate methane emissions from sewage sludge treatment as a priority for the UK water sector to meet their NetZero targets by 2030. This project focusses on understanding, mitigating and valorising those emissions, so that at the end of the project the PhD candidate would have developed the fundamental science to have a real impact on the water industry. This project works collaboratively with UK water utilities and provides the student regular exposure to senior industry stakeholders, increasing employability on completion. 

This project recognises sludge treatment centres as the main source of unconfined CH4 within wastewater and bioresources operations and aims to provide a practical solution to mitigate emissions on time to meet 2030 NetZero targets. Hence it assesses technologies and practices available at high technology readiness level (TRL) (market ready) so that they can be implemented on time to help the water sector, meet government targets and the global CH4 pledge.

This project is sponsored through the WIRe CDT, which focusses on nurturing a new generation of research leaders to provide the multi-disciplinary, disruptive thinking to enhance the resilience of new and existing water infrastructure.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit ….. an applicant with a strong interest on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, environmental engineering, environmental sciences and resource recovery, who is keen on industry-academic collaboration and on applied research. A background on engineering physics, biology, water science or environmental science. An understanding of NetZero drivers, methane measurement, carbon accounting, sludge treatment, anaerobic digestion and with strong statistical skills are encouraged to apply.

Funding

This studentship is open to UK and international students (including EU countries) however due to funding rules, no more than 30% of the projects in this cohort can be allocated to international students. 

How to apply

For further information
Name: Dr Yadira Bajon Fernandez
Email: [email protected]

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

Keywords

Net Zero, Carbon neutral, GHG, greenhouse gases, resource recovery, circular economy, biorefineries, Anaerobic digestion, wastewater, Sludge treatment, bioresources, environmental engineering, environmental science, water science, water engineering, water, industry, applied, renewable energy, biogas, fertilizer, digestate, bioengineering, bioreactors