PhD - Valorisation of biomass for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals (UK EPSRC DTP)

Outline

This exciting research project is focused on transitioning from a fossil based economy to a more sustainable, renewable and circular economy is urgently needed to meet the net zero target. This project aims to develop novel biorefinery system design for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals using a whole system approach. This will involve process integration and intensification techniques, machine learning technique and rigorous sustainability assessment in designing sustainable biorefinery systems in view of achieving maximum resource efficiency and minimum environmental impact.

Please contact Dr Kok Siew Ng at koksiew.ng@brunel.ac.uk to find out more about the project.

What is funded

Applications are invited for our EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) PhD studentships that will support six (6) research projects starting 1 October 2023. One of these projects is “Valorisation of biomass for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals ” led by Dr Kok Siew Ng in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of approximately £19,668, including inner London weighting, plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees for a period of 42 months (3.5 years).   

You should be eligible for home (UK) tuition fees there are a very limited number (no more than three) of studentships available to overseas applicants, including EU nationals, who meet the academic entry criteria including English Language proficiency. 

You will join the internationally recognised researchers in the Department of Chemical Engineering research and PhD programmes | Brunel University London 

Eligibility

You will have or will receive an undergraduate degree classified at 1^st class or 2:1 (honours) in Chemical Engineering or related discipline. A postgraduate masters degree may be an advantage. Where appropriate, applicants must have English language proficiency to an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Skills and Experience

Applicants will be required to demonstrate the following skills;  

Computational modelling: This project requires simulation modelling and optimisation techniques using Aspen Plus, Matlab and GAMS. It also involves machine learning and software development using Python.   

Sustainability assessment: This project involves rigorous techno-economic analysis and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA software such as SimaPro is required.   

You should be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team, collaborate with others and have good communication skills. 

How to apply

There are two stages of the application: 

1.Applicants must submit the pre-application form via the following link  https://brunel.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/epsrc-dtp-23-24-pre-application-form-brunel-university-lon-3 by 16.00 on Friday 26th May 2023.   

2.If you are shortlisted for the interview, you will be asked to email the following documentation in a single PDF file to cedps-studentships@brunel.ac.uk within 24hrs. 

Your up-to-date CV; 

Your Undergraduate degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) essential;  

Your Postgraduate Masters degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) if applicable;  

Your valid English Language qualification of IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) or equivalent, if applicable; 

Contact details for TWO referees, one of which can be an academic member of staff in the College. 

Applicants should therefore ensure that they have all of this information in case they are shortlisted. 

Interviews will take place in June 2023.