PhD Studentship - Process Industries: Net Zero - Decarbonising Industrial Cellophane Production

Award summary

100% fees (UK home only), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000.

Overview

Are you motivated to tackle climate change through engineering?

This fully-funded PhD offers a unique opportunity to work directly with industry to decarbonise a real manufacturing plant — delivering solutions with immediate, tangible impact. This project focuses on the Futamura cellulose-to-cellophane production site in Cumbria, where you will develop strategies to reduce energy use and transition towards Net Zero operation. Unlike purely theoretical PhDs, your work will directly inform decisions in a live industrial setting.

You will be focussed on a live industrial plant, not a hypothetical system, involving direct collaboration with Futamura Ltd, a global leader in sustainable packaging, and you will deliver solutions with sector-wide relevance.

This is an opportunity to be part of a Leading Research Environment, the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Process Industries: Net Zero (PINZ), hosted by the Process Intensification Group at Newcastle University. You will benefit from a cohort-based PhD experience, advanced training, and strong industry links.

Project Overview: Cellophane is a relatively sustainable material, derived from renewable cellulose. However, its production remains energy-intensive.

In this project, you will:

• Analyse energy use across a real industrial process
• Identify opportunities for heat integration and efficiency improvements
• Evaluate emerging technologies for process decarbonisation
• Explore solutions from unit operations to whole-system redesign
• Conduct techno-economic and life cycle analysis
• Translate findings to both the Futamura site and the wider chemicals sector

Through the PINZ CDT, you will gain:

• Data analysis, modelling, and technoeconomic assessment skills
• Professional development in communication, leadership, and industrial collaboration
• Access to a strong network of industrial partners and alumni

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 1^st October 2026

Award duration: 4 years

Application closing date: 15 June 2026

[The advert will close at midnight on 15^th June 2026, but may close earlier if strong applications are received. Early submission is encouraged.]

Sponsor: EPSRC

Supervisors

Dr Richard Law (richard.law@newcastle.ac.uk); Professor Adam Harvey (adam.harvey@newcastle.ac.uk)

Eligibility criteria: You must have (or expect to achieve):

• A 2:1 or above in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interest in energy, sustainability, and industrial processes
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Once registered, select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Identify your programme of study via 'Course Search':

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8856F
• Leave the 'Research Area' field blank
• Select ‘PhD in Process Industries; Net Zero (PINZ)’ as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is mandatory) - upload a document or write a statement directly into the application form  
• The studentship code PINZ07-26 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• ‘Research Proposal’ - when asked how you are providing your research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’, and enter the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a separate proposal.
• Upload your CV

You must submit one application per studentship; you cannot apply for multiple studentships in one application.

Contact details

General enquiries: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk

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