PhD Studentship - Recycled Content in Sustainable Automotive Polymers

The 3.5 year PhD is fully funded and the Project is co-supported by Polestar. The tuition fees will be paid and the successful applicant will receive a stipend set at the UKRI rate, which is £18,622 for 2023/24. The start date is September 2024.

The Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub within the Department of Materials at the University of Manchester and housed in the Henry Royce Institute is seeking enthusiastic and collaborative polymer chemists or engineers to develop the next generation of sustainable polymers. The project builds on our existing expertise in designing polymers and systems that retain or enhance properties through mechanical recycling for application in tackling the urgent challenge of plastics circularity. Rheological modelling and process control mapped to chemical characteristics of post-consumer recyclate helps circularise our plastics economy.

This is especially true of the automotive sector, where both the environmental impact and opportunity for including recycled content in plastics represents a major opportunity. This project, in collaboration with electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar, will explore the limits of recycled content in automotive plastics. The project will explore methodologies to increase the recycled content in automotive parts, improve our understanding of quality and quantity in these systems, and quantify the potential sustainability improvements. The inclusion of recycled content will lower the carbon footprint of automotive parts towards a greenhouse gas free future for automotive plastics.

The project is under the direction of Prof. Michael Shaver as part of a diverse team addressing academic and industry challenges in sustainable polymer science. While attitude and desire is the overriding factor in choosing a candidate, some experience in polymer extrusion and rheology or experience in sustainability metrics (LCA, EIA) would beneficial. You should be capable of working under your own initiative and building relationships in a diverse and driven team. We are committed to Athena SWAN principles to promote women in science. The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Before you Apply

Applicants must make direct contact with the supervisor, Prof Michael Shaver before applying: michael.shaver@manchester.ac.uk

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