Spectroscopy for Process Intensification and Optimisation

Fully funded PhD opportunities (48-months)
at the EPSRC and SFI CDT in Sustainable Chemistry- Atoms2Products

We are seeking to recruit highly motivated students who are eager to work in a multi-disciplinary team involving mathematicians, chemists, physicists, and engineers to develop fully automated multi-step flow photochemical and electrochemical manufacturing processes. This goal is important because chemical manufacturing is moving towards smaller scale production of a larger number of compounds, leaving less time for process development while still being under pressure to reduce costs and increase production flexibility and efficiency. With the growing interest in sustainability, effective reaction monitoring and rapid process optimisation are crucial for future manufacturing.

This Theme focuses on combining Process Analytical Technology and self-optimisation AI to accelerate efficient chemical manufacturing on the kilogram scale in continuous photo-, electro-, and thermal chemistry processes. It will blend fundamental science with real world applications to deliver things that are genuinely new.

The students whom we recruit will gain broad experience in many different areas including:

• Flow chemistry
• Process modelling
• Photo-/electro-chemistry
• A large variety of spectroscopy including UV/visible, Infrared, Raman and ultrafast time-resolved techniques
• Interaction with both academia and industry

For further information please contact Spectroscopy for Process Intensification and Optimisation Theme Lead Prof Mike George on Mike.George@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 951 3512.

Benefits of studying with us

• An extensive training and development programme
• Collaboration in smaller multidisciplinary Theme-specific groups
• Being part of a Cohort of students and peer support
• Opportunity of an external internship as an integral part of the programme
• A consumables and conference attendance budget
• A stipend of £15,009pa (2019/20 value)
• Application criteria

Application criteria

Candidates should hold one of the following:

• A minimum of an upper second-class honours degree from a 4-year undergraduate course, or equivalent in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy or a closely related subject.
• A 3-year undergraduate course in one of the above disciplines plus a Masters degree and/or at least one year’s experience in industry.

For more information about the programme and to apply, please visit the website.

Due to funding restrictions, studentships are available to Home and EU applicants only.