PhD in Predicting the environmental degradation of plastics

Understanding how plastics and polymers degrade in the environment is an important sustainability target. Our work in this area uses innovative analytical techniques and simulated environments to understand how specific plastics degrade in different environments. This area is an important field of research to enable us to better understand the likely impact of current, but also, future plastics on the environment.

An industry-funded PhD studentship is available in the group of Prof. Andrew Dove at the University of Birmingham (group website: http://www.dovegrouplab.com), in collaboration with Prof Stefan Krause in Environmental Sciences to work in this area. The project will involve research in some or all of the key areas that the group are interested:

• Synthesis of degradable polymers

• Studying the degradation of polymers under a range of conditions

• Applying and developing analytical methods to analyse the results

• Working with partners in other disciplines and industry to model the results

The project will involve several areas that can be tuned towards the successful applicant’s interests and skills and will be ideal for students that are interested in a fundamental research project with an applied goal. The work will be conducted in the new £80M Molecular Sciences Building on the Edgbaston campus where the Dove and Krause groups will be both be located from early 2024, allowing full access to the world-class, state-of-the-art facilities maintained by the group and department.

The funding can only be used to support students that are eligible for home fee status. The successful applicants should expect to have a good (1st or 2.1 UK or equivalent) degree in chemistry.

Enquiries and informal applications should be made as soon as possible to Prof. Andrew Dove by email at [Email Address Removed]

This project is available anytime after Jan 2024.