PhD Studentships – Process Industries: Net Zero Centre for Doctoral Training – Chemical Engineering for Sustainable Wastewater-to-Resource Systems
Newcastle University
Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Funding for: UK Students
Funding amount: £21,805 minimum tax-free annual living allowance. Please see advert for further information.
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 26th June 2026
Closes: 26th July 2026
Reference: PINZ01-26
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
This PhD project targets a key challenge in sustainable process engineering: translating microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) technology from lab-scale innovation to robust, industrial deployment.
The research will sit at the interface of reaction engineering, process systems engineering, and industrial deployment.
You will develop and optimise scalable MEC systems for real industrial wastewater, focusing on process intensification, dynamic operation, and resource recovery. The project combines modelling, pilot-scale experimentation, and techno-economic assessment to establish MECs as viable unit operations within next‑generation wastewater treatment plants.
You will contribute to technology being developed for real‑world deployment with water utilities and food & beverage manufacturers, working closely with the spin‑out company METzero Technologies.
Research Objectives
- Process Intensification & Scale‑Up
- Design and evaluate scalable MEC configurations
- Apply computational fluid dynamics and transport modelling to resolve flow distribution, mass transfer limitations, and electrode performance.
- Validate models using lab and pilot‑scale systems, linking hydrodynamics to electrochemical performance
- Energy Integration & Process Optimisation
- Develop rigorous energy balances and dynamic process models for MEC operation
- Investigate integration with plant‑wide energy systems and existing infrastructure
- Quantify performance using industry‑relevant metrics, supporting scale‑up decisions and economic viability.
- Resource Recovery & Process Control
- Optimise operating conditions for selective recovery of hydrogen, ammonia, and high‑value nutrients.
- Conduct techno‑economic and systems‑level analysis for implementation in various sectors
Number of Awards: 1
Start Date: 1 October 2026
Award Duration: 4 years
Application Closing Date: 26 June 2026
Sponsor: EPSRC
Supervisors: Dr Richard Law, Dr Elizabeth Heidrich
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project. We’re looking for motivated candidates with a background in chemical engineering, bioelectrochemical engineering, environmental engineering, or related disciplines. Interest in sustainability, circular economy, and process innovation is essential. Good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work independently and in a team are essential.
Contact Details: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk
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