Project ID: BUK2E083
Annual Stipend: £13,131 p.a.
Application Deadline: 10 January 2023.
This project will use life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental profile of processed British sheep’s wool. Wool is a bio-based, bio-degradable material that has potential for greater use and valorisation in applications such as construction materials and industrial composites. In addition, the use of wool in long-lasting products locks biogenic carbon away from the atmosphere and can contribute to the sink of stored carbon needed to mitigate climate change. Currently, the environmental footprint of processed British wool is poorly understood and this exciting research project offers an opportunity to address this.
Using both primary and published data for British sheep farming and by collecting first-hand data for inputs associated with wool processing, the successful applicant will become expert in the theory and application of LCA and in interpretation of the relevant methodological standards in this area.
The student will need to have a science-based degree in a suitable field (environmental sciences, materials science, mathematics, engineering or similar) and an interest in working in this highly topical area. Relevant skills include academic rigour, analytical thinking, experience working with large spreadsheets, and excellent report writing skills.
The project is supported by British Wool and the company supervisor is Haldi Kranich-Wood, a highly experienced Product Manager with the group. British Wool fully understand the importance of independently calculated environmental performance data and of the need for this piece of research to be undertaken. Output from the project will form an important part of British Wool’s future marketing and communications strategy. This project is an exciting opportunity and the Research Masters has the potential to upgrade to a funded PhD.
The academic supervisors are Campbell Skinner and Dr Graham Ormondroyd. Campbell is the Senior Life Cycle Assessment Analyst at the BioComposites Centre and has worked extensively with LCA and carbon foot-printing in fields ranging from agriculture and horticulture to bio-refining and bio-based product development. He has successfully led many LCA-based research projects and commercial contracts. Graham is head of Materials Research at the BioComposites Centre, and manages a large portfolio of research work, including wood modification, wood based panels, energy efficient structures and decarbonisation of industrial processes.
For informal enquiries please contact : Campbell Skinner : [Email Address Removed] or Graham Ormondroyd : [Email Address Removed].
To apply, send a CV and covering letter to Campbell Skinner : [Email Address Removed] , Graham Ormondroyd : [Email Address Removed]. and cc Penny Dowdney ([Email Address Removed]) by 10 January 2023.
KESS 2 East is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for East Wales.
Due to ESF funding, eligibility restrictions apply to this scholarship. To be eligible, the successful candidate will need to be resident in the East Wales on University registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
www.kess2.ac.uk
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