A collaborative research project is available within the EPSRC-funded Water-WISER Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) www.waterwisercdt.ac.uk to work with Kersia/Medentech www.medentech.com on drinking water disinfection. The project could be refined moderately to respond to the interests of the specific candidate. The project involves some laboratory work and could involve some field work and/or attachment to the company. The laboratory work component concerns the removal and/or inactivation of Cryptosporidium, an important faecal-oral pathogen in Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC) settings; either: evaluating combinations of disinfectant chemicals to inactivate Cryptosporidium; and/or combining disinfectant chemicals with flocculants to both inactivate and physically remove Cryptosporidium. The laboratories of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds have confirmed their capacity for these analyses and willingness to host the candidates concerned. The uses of Kersia/Medentech’s products of concern include tablet disinfection in refugee/IDP camps and where municipal systems fail under conflict or natural disaster conditions; and plumbed in/flow-proportional devices for small systems including individual buildings such as health care settings. These would provide the basis for a fieldwork component, that might look at efficiency under field conditions and/or investigate the influence of social context and adoption of the technologies.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
We are looking for high calibre students who have at least a 2:1 first degree in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent qualification. A master’s degree in a related subject would be advantageous. The candidate should have experience of practical laboratory work. The studentship is available for entry in September 2021 as part of the Water-WISER Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
To apply, visit the link at the Water-WISER CDT Welcome page www.waterwisercdt.ac.uk , this takes you to University of Leeds applications pages where you should make a standard application to the CDT. Make sure to include the statement that you are intending to apply for the "Kersia/Medentech Drinking Water Disinfection" project.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the end of May. Interviews will be held online on 9th June. Project supervisors welcome informal project enquiries.
Funding Notes
This studentship is available for UK applicants only as we have filled our quota of international places for entry in Sept 2021. We recommend you check your eligibility at the time of application. The studentship will cover tuition fees and will provide an annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (£15,609 in 2021/22), rising slightly each year. £20,000 is available over 4 years for fieldwork/laboratory costs.
Academic Contact: Prof Jamie Bartram [Email Address Removed]
Continue with Facebook
