PhD Studentship: Electrochemical and Paper-Microfluidics Detection for Monitoring Water Disinfection

Start date 

19/9/2023 or sooner

Eligibility

Duration *:  4 years

1^st Supervisor: Dr Zhugen Yang & Industry supervisors

Funding

Sponsored by EPSRC CDT WISER and industry partner (Zimmer & Peacock, Medentech Ltd, /Kersia), this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £18,000 (tax free) plus tuition fees for four years for UK students

The exciting PhD opportunity was funded by EPSRC CDT WISER and industry partners (expertise in biosensors manufacturing and disinfection for water treatment).  We are offering a fully funded national PhD studentship covering tuition fees, competitive stipend, research and consumables, and travel for international conference. The candidate will be working with a highly interdisciplinary and international team to develop the advanced sensors technology (e.g., electrochemical and paper microfluidics) for rapid monitoring of chemicals and microbiological contaminants and disinfection process during water treatment process.

In this project, we aim to develop low-cost, deployable biosensor devices (e.g., paper-microfluidics devices) for rapid monitoring of water quality. We will train one PhD student, working within a highly multidisciplinary team from academic and industrial partners (Cranfield, Zimmer & Peacock Ltd and Kersia Ltd) to develop, and transfer advanced sensor technology for rapid monitoring of water quality to provide new understanding on the dynamics and transportation of contaminants and inform mitigation, to help achieve and maintain sustainable health and well-being.

We have recently established an Advanced Sensors Laboratory funded by UKCRIC, and this dedicated laboratory is the centre of the world-class research into sensors and their uses in water and the water industry being conducted at Cranfield. With an impressive legacy in biosensors, Cranfield’s UKCRIC sensors lab continues the University’s work in this area by providing state-of-the-art facilities for chemical, biological and microbial sensors’ development. The advanced sensors group (led by Dr Zhugen Yang) aims to explore multiciliary approach to advance sensor technology and address global challenges in water-environment-health nexus, e.g., our recent work on origami-paper sensors has been featured in Science and London Science Museum.

The outputs of the project will deliver new sensors to quantify the chemical active ingredients of water disinfection (e.g., chlorination units) to monitor long term disinfection, which is expected to demonstrate for the field testing, within the support from industry partner. This will provide a new understanding of the disinfection process and monitoring mechanism, which has a potential for translation as a routine measurement for industry in water sectors. 

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit students with a background biosensor, microfluidics, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology or engineering background. 

Funding

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be a UK citizen.

How to apply

This PhD project is offered as part of the Water-WISER CDT shared between Leeds, Loughborough and Cranfield Universities. All applicants must apply via the University of Leeds application system in the first instance. Shortlisting and interviews will be conducted by a panel of academics from all three universities.

For further information please contact:
Dr Zhugen Yang
E: zhugen.yang@cranfield.ac.uk

Admissions
T: +44 (0)1234 758082
E: studywater@cranfield.ac.uk

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

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