PhD Studentship - Nanobubble Technology for upgrading Conventional Water Treatment

Start date: 03/06/2024

Type of studentship: DTP (with industrial top up)

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK

Duration: 3 years

1^st Supervisor: Dr Tao Lyu   

2^nd Supervisor: Prof Peter Jarvis

Funding

Sponsored by EPSRC and Northumbrian Water, this DTP studentship will provide an enhanced stipend of £21,500 (tax free) for three years, with all fees covered. We require that applicants are under no restrictions regarding how long they can stay in the UK.

Fully-funded studentship - Opportunities which are fully funded (e.g. covers all fees and stipend)

Introductory Paragraph

This exciting fully funded PhD is sponsored by EPSRC and Northumbrian Water, with an enhanced stipend of £21,500 per annum (with fees covered). This project will deliver strategies to strengthen and upgrade water treatment infrastructure and increase its resilience using nanobubble technology as a chemical-free approach. The successful candidate will work closely with the water industry to develop the technology, with the aim of implementing their research on the ground.

Main Copy (advised structure)

Water treatment technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, have been widely applied for the removal of various recalcitrant chemical pollutants and biological contaminants. However, these processes are not always suitable to meet more challenging and emerging water quality standards, such as the forever compounds PFAS. As such, we need to develop treatment technology innovations that can resolve these challenges while also being cost-efficient and sustainable. Defra’s ‘25 Year Environment Plan’ highlights the need for technology innovations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water treatment processes.

This study aims to develop and assess how nanobubble technology can be used to strengthen and upgrade existing water treatment infrastructure, thereby enhancing its resilience.

The candidate is expected to deliver the following research objectives,

1)  Summarise the existing evidence, potential, and challenges associated with utilising nanobubble technology for both water and wastewater treatment.

2)  Develop the nanobubble technology, understand its underlying mechanisms, and collect evidence-based approaches for its implementation in the water sector.

3)  Evaluate the environmental and cost impacts and assess the feasibility of deploying implementation at larger scale.

On top of the enhanced stipend and fees, we encourage student participation in at least one international conference to disseminate their research outputs and develop academic relationships. Specific laboratory skills training, such as in water treatment technology (water and wastewater engineering), water quality analysis (environmental chemistry), and molecular microbiological analysis (microbiology), will be provided. The student will also be trained to write peer-reviewed journal publications, and project reports for the industry partner. You will have the opportunity to work closely with the project industrial partner to ensure that you develop research ideas that address the real needs of water utilities and industry.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Engineering or a related discipline. It is desirable that the candidate has some understanding of water or wastewater treatment.

How to apply

For further information please contact:      

Name: Dr Tao Lyu  / Prof Peter Jarvis

Email: t.lyu@cranfield.ac.uk / p.jarvis@cranfield.ac.uk

Academic profile link: 

https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/people/dr-tao-lyu-26747366 / https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/people/professor-peter-jarvis-743815 

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above

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