PhD Studentship: UKRI Net2Zero CDT (Industry-Sponsored by AEL CCS) - Development and Demonstration of a Laboratory-Scale Next Generation Multifunctional Reactor for Biochar Production and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Technology

Supervisors: Prof. Hao Liu (University of Nottingham), Dr Yaoyao Zheng (University of Nottingham), Nate Macmillan (AEL CCS) 

Programme Length: Four years

Prospective Start Date: October 2026

Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability. 

Training and Development

Through our research training programme, you will be able to:

• Network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration
• Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
• A three-month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers

Project Overview and Background 

The project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale reactor that can function as a biochar/bio-syngas generator and a bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) reactor.

Objectives:

• Conceptual design of a laboratory-scale electrically heated furnace that can be used to house the multifunctional reactor
• Design and manufacture of fluidised bed and fixed bed lab-scale reactors that can be used to produce biochar and to evaluate the BECCS technology based on calcium-based and other solid sorbents
• Conduct biochar production tests by using the multifunctional reactor testing system with a range of biomass feedstocks and to characterise the biochar properties (e.g., pore size distribution, porosity) by using various analytical equipment (e.g., BET, SEM, XRD, TGA)
• Conduct CO2 capture tests by using the multifunctional reactor testing system with Calcium-based sorbents (at high temperatures) and other solid sorbents (including biochar-derived sorbents) (at low temperatures)

Person Specification

Essential:

Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class or an upper second-class honours degree (or their equivalent) in:

• Chemical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Materials sciences
• Chemistry
• Or a closely related subject.

Desirable:

Previous design and operational experience with any scale fluidised bed reactors is advantageous.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT. We are committed to equality of opportunity and therefore encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting.

Financial Support

• Tax-free annual stipend at UKRI rate (£21,383 per year for 2026/27)
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant

Overseas Applicants

This opportunity is currently open for home fee status candidates only.

How to Apply

All applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form via the ‘Apply’ button above. Please visit the studentship advert for further application guidance.

These studentships are open until filled, and hence early applications are strongly encouraged.

Contact Information

For general application or process enquiries, please contact:

• Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for Net2Zero CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@nottingham.ac.uk 

For academic enquiries, please contact:

• Prof. Hao Liu (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk 
• Prof. Eleanor Binner (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at eleanor.binner@nottingham.ac.uk 

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