Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment

This exciting fully funded PhD, with an enhanced stipend of £19,000 per annum and working in collaboration with Severn Trent, will research the reduction of greenhouse gases from wastewater treatment systems. Students will benefit from being part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe), a world leading collaboration between three universities (www.cdtwire.com). The WIRe programme includes a bespoke training programme in technical and personal skills development, and provides opportunities for overseas travel and access to world leading experimental facilities.

An unintended consequence of biological wastewater treatment is the emission of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Further, natural and induced biological activity in biosolids also results in additional emissions such that wastewater treatment works have a number of points sources where greenhouse gases will be emitted. Current approaches to quantify such levels are based on static emission rates that do not reflect changes in operation or control that may reduce the total quantity of GCGs emitted.
The aim of this work is to understand how can we reduce and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater.
The project is an exciting collaboration between Cranfield University and Severn Trent as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe).

The project will respond to current water infrastructure challenges by establishing the relative impact different wastewater technologies have and the potential to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions whilst not impacting treatment efficacy and hence will help future proof existing infrastructure. At the same time, the project will establish the key infrastructure required to deliver an operational carbon neutral wastewater treatment service across the entire range of operational scales.

As part of the WIRe centre, students will benefit from an enhanced stipend of £19,000 per annum, undertake a bespoke training programme within a cohort of up to 12 students and have access to world leading experimental facilities and observatories, as well as close collaboration with industry and end-user partners.

At the end of the project you will be very well positioned to have a highly successful career in the water sector or in an academic role. We will help you develop into a dynamic, confident and highly competent researcher with wider transferable skills (communication, project management and leadership) that will be highly desirable for future employability.

Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as engineering, chemistry, environmental sciences, or water science. The ideal candidate should have some understanding of wastewater treatment. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest for industrial research. Prior experience in the water sector would be advantageous but is not essential.

How to apply

For further information please contact:
Name: Professor Bruce Jefferson
Email: [Email Address Removed]
T: (0) 1234 750111 Ext: 4813

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form using ref no SWEE0083