Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in the Novel Heterogeneous Catalytic Process[...]

European Commission; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Commission offers PhD positions in Central Research Field Engineering at Swansea University to tackle significant wastewater issues in the UK. This research aligns with environmental regulations, focusing on novel treatment methods to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits

Full tuition coverage

Annual stipend at UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26)

Up to £1,000 for additional research expenses

Qualifications

• IELTS 6.5 overall (5.5+ in each component) or equivalent.
• Eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate.
• Experience or knowledge in environmental regulations and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Study and develop advanced wastewater treatment solutions.
• Explore catalytic means to improve treatment efficiency.
• Conduct research related to environmental impacts of wastewater.

Skills

Research

Environmental Regulations

Wastewater Treatment

Catalysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Titanium Dioxide

Activated Carbon

Zeolite-supported materials

Job description

Organisation/Company: Swansea University

Department: Central Research Field Engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 25 Aug 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 35

Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? No

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

In the UK, industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture generate significant amounts of organic wastewater. Annually, the UK produces 2.4 billion cubic meters of wastewater, with about 50-70% being organic. Environmental regulations, including the Water Resources Act 1991, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the Water Industry Act 1991, mandate that wastewater must be treated before being discharged into the environment. These industries require effective wastewater treatment solutions to mitigate environmental impacts and comply with regulations.

Conventional treatment technologies face limitations related to high energy consumption and inefficiencies in removing toxic non-biodegradable organics. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are also energy-intensive. To reduce emissions while maintaining the benefits of AOPs, this project explores catalytic means of organic wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous catalysis, an emerging technology, offers the potential to enhance treatment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize sludge production. This technology uses solid catalysts such as titanium dioxide, activated carbon, and zeolite-supported materials.

This project aligns with the Net-Zero Water Industry's goal of minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

English Language Requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall (5.5+ in each component) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate validity, can be found on our website.

Additional Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

Eligibility criteria: Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.

For further information, please see our website.