PhD Studentship NEt2Zero Advanced Microwave Technology Development for Activated Carbon Reactivation

Programme length: Four years
Start date: October 2026

Project overview

Activated carbon is widely used in water and air treatment applications to remove contaminants, including taste and odour compounds, PFAS, and other emerging pollutants. This PhD project will investigate the development of advanced microwave technology for activated carbon reactivation, offering a more energy-efficient and lower-carbon alternative to conventional thermal regeneration methods. 

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative microwave reactivation processes in collaboration with industry partner Dr Andrew Gill at Puragen, gaining experience in laboratory-scale and pilot-scale process development and scale-up. 

Supervisory team

• Prof. Eleanor Binner, University of Nottingham
• Dr Gabriela Duran Jimenez, University of Nottingham
• Dr Andrew Gill, Puragen Ltd 

About the Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training is a partnership between Aston University, the University of Nottingham, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Warwick. The programme focuses on negative emission technologies and solutions that support net-zero ambitions through interdisciplinary research and industrial collaboration.

Students will benefit from:

• A strong network of researchers, academics, industry partners, and policymakers.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities.
• International collaboration opportunities.
• Training in engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills.
• A three-month placement with industry, research collaborators, or policymakers.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain before the start date:

• A First Class or strong 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent), and/or a Master's degree in:
• Chemical Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Particle Engineering
• A closely related discipline

Applicants should also demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork, and safety awareness.

Funding

The studentship includes:

• UKRI tax-free stipend (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27)
• Full tuition fee support
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Eligibility

Please note that this opportunity is open to Home Fee Status candidates only. 

Academic queries

For enquiries relating to the research project, supervision, or technical aspects of the PhD, please contact:

Professor Hao LIU (BEng, MEng, PhD, CEng, MEI)
liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk
Chair in Energy Engineering
Co-Director of EPSRC/BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero: Net²Zero
Associate Director of EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems

Eleanor Binner
Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Co-director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Net²Zero and Sustainable Futures Lead for the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance.
Eleanor.Binner@nottingham.ac.uk

Administrative queries

For enquiries relating to eligibility, the application process, funding, or the Net2Zero CDT programme, please contact:

Net2Zero CDT Team:
Md Ashif Chy
EZ-Net2Zero-CDT@nottingham.ac.uk

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