Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Novel Heterogeneous Catalytic Process for Net-Zero Water Industry (RS746)

Funding provider(s): EPSRC

Subject area(s): Chemical Engineering, Catalysis, Water treatment, Net-Zero

Project start date(s): 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

Primary: Dr Afsanehsadat ‘Mary’ Larimi, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering

Secondary: Prof Chedly Tizaoui, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering

Additional Supervisor: Dr Rui Tan, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering

Additional Supervisor: Dr James Courtney, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemical Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

In the UK, industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture generate significant amounts of organic wastewater. Annually, the UK produces 2.4 billion cubic meters of wastewater, with about 50-70% being organic. Environmental regulations, including the Water Resources Act 1991, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the Water Industry Act 1991, mandate that wastewater must be treated before being discharged into the environment. Thus, these industries require effective wastewater treatment solutions to mitigate environmental impacts and comply with regulations. However, conventional treatment technologies face limitations related to high energy consumption and inefficiencies in removing toxic non-biodegradable organics.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are also energy-intensive. To reduce emissions while maintaining the benefits of AOPs, this project explores catalytic means of organic wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous catalysis, an emerging technology, offers the potential to enhance treatment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize sludge production. This technology uses solid catalysts such as titanium dioxide, activated carbon, and zeolite-supported materials. To accelerate chemical reactions that break down complex organic contaminants more effectively than traditional methods, offering effective treatment to degrade a wide range of organic contaminants. This aligns with the Net-Zero Water Industry's goal of minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline – see country specific qualifications

IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or equivalent. Further details are on the Swansea University English Language entry policy.

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students.

Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.

We are still accepting applications from international applicants. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with the scholarship course offer.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).

There is a further £1,000 available for other expenses such as conferences and fieldwork.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice– please select:

   Chemical Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year– please select 2025
3. Funding (page 8 on the application process)–
4. ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
5. ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS746 - Water Industry’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts 
• A cover letter 
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirements (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Afsanehsadat ‘Mary’ Larimi (a.larimi@swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.