Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now
Funded PhD Studentships at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT): NET2ZERO

Funded PhD Studentships at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Negative Emissions Technologies for Net Zero: NET2ZERO

Engineered removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is one way of helping to meet our decarbonisation and climate change commitments. This fully funded (UK/home student fees, approved maintenance stipend and research costs) PhD gives you the opportunity to apply your scientific and engineering knowledge to developing techniques for delivering “negative emissions” (net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere).

About the Projects

Projects are available across the full range of engineered greenhouse gas removal options: direct air capture, CO2 utilisation, biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage, biochar, negative emission materials and chemicals. You could be: working in the laboratory to develop new technologies to convert CO2 to chemicals, or biorenewables to new high performance materials; characterising the huge range of renewable and waste feedstocks to maximise conversion efficiencies; developing process modelling tools to aid intelligent plant design; evaluating the sustainability and social impacts of different feedstocks and technology options using Life Cycle Analysis; comparing policy instruments that can encourage negative emissions, or evaluating the economic impact of implementation. These are just a few examples; projects will be led by the societal need to move to net zero and the industrial challenges to get there.

A wide variety of project options are available across our 4 partner institutes (Aston University in Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick and Queen's University Belfast). Whichever project and location you choose you will be working as part of a national interdisciplinary effort to advance these new technologies, directly informing the implementation strategies of our industrial and policy partners. You will, of course, expand your subject knowledge and technical capability, but will also benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary taught programme and skills development. Above all, you will be making a difference to the UK’s scientific knowledge base, engineering implementation and positively impacting global carbon emissions.

Funding and Academic Criteria

NET2ZERO covers Home/UK tuition fees plus a stipend set at UKRI nationally agreed rates, in 2023/24 £18,622 p.a. for full-time students (subject to progression), plus research costs.

This scheme is open to both the UK and international applicants. We are only able to offer a limited number of studentships to applicants outside the UK.

Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class degree or a good 2.1 (or their equivalent) in Engineering or a related subject.

How to apply

So, if you are expecting to achieve a first or 2:1 in a numerate discipline and are interested in making a difference to the global climate challenge, express your interest here. We will contact you to arrange a preliminary discussion about your eligibility, qualifications and areas of interest, and discover which research partner and project could be right for you.

Expression of Interest Form

You will have a chance to meet with prospective supervisors prior to submitting an application - further details will be provided.

Please contact us at cdt_net2zero@aston.ac.uk for any questions about the opportunity.

Deadline for applications

The deadline for applications is 13 May 2024. However, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to maximize your chances of securing a place.