PhD Studentship - Industrial Process Optimization for a High-Value Ingredient Used in Food and Health Applications

Research theme: Chemical Engineering

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

UK and EU

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded by industry. Home and EU students are eligible to apply. International student can apply but their application eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

A fully funded PhD studentship (for home/international students; European applicants are strongly encouraged to apply) at the University of Manchester, delivered in collaboration with Jungbunzlauer, a global leader in producing naturally derived, biodegradable ingredients that enhance everyday life. With more than 150 years of expertise, the company combines science-driven innovation with a strong commitment to sustainability. This is a hands-on industrial project, driven by Jungbunzlauer’s commitment to “Naturally Better ingredients”. You will design a scalable manufacturing process for a commercially important ingredient used across food and pharmaceutical sectors, with the aim of real deployment, not just academic output.

The work will involve:

• Understanding how the material behaves during processing
• Determining operating conditions that meet regulatory standards
• Improving yield, consistency, and product quality at scale
• Turning a lab-scale process into something that works in a factory

The material of study is a high-value mineral salt, but the skills you gain apply broadly across chemical, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. You will leave this PhD prepared for industry, not only research.

Why this opportunity stands out

This studentship is linked directly to Jungbunzlauer, a leading producer of biodegradable ingredients. Jungbunzlauer products enter global markets daily, and you will be contributing to real industrial development rather than theoretical work. As part of the program, you will complete a six-month placement at the Jungbunzlauer site in Germany, where you will:

• Collaborate with experienced industrial scientists and process engineers
• Gain hands-on exposure in production-scale manufacturing environments
• Contribute to innovations when quality, cost, and regulation all matter
• Build professional relationships inside a company committed to long-term responsibility

This studentship is expressly structured to provide a strong pathway into industry, positioning successful candidates favorably for future roles with Jungbunzlauer.

What you will gain

• Access to world-class university labs and active manufacturing facilities
• Strong publication and presentation opportunities
• Industrially relevant research experience and not just academic training
• Skills in process design, optimization, scale-up, and regulatory compliance
• A realistic, high-probability pathway into an industry career after graduation

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a first class honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as Chemical/Process Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related fields.

To apply, please contact our main supervisor, Dr Ashwin Kumar Rajagopalan - ashwinkumar.rajagopalan@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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