Applications are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, to be undertaken within the EBRI Research Group at Aston University. This project is part of an internal competition.
The position is available to start in either October 2022 or January or April or July 2023, subject to negotiation.
Financial Support
Engineering and Physical Sciences College DTP PhD studentships are fully funded for 3 years. They include a maintenance allowance based on UKRI minimum and Home tuition fees (subject to eligibility). The figures for 2022/23 are yet to be confirmed. For reference, in the 2021/22 academic year, the maintenance allowance was £15,609 and the Home tuition fees were £4,500.
Overseas applicants may apply but will need to cover the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. The difference between ‘Home’ and ‘Overseas’ tuition fees for 2022/23 is yet to be confirmed. In the 2021/22 academic year, the difference was £13,100.
As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you have applied for, or secured, this additional funding.
Full details of eligibility can be found here. Further guidance on UKRI Eligibility Criteria can be found on the UKRI website.
Project Background
Biochar is a carbon-rich material that can be prepared by thermal treatment (slow or intermediate pyrolysis) of various organic waste feedstock, such as agricultural waste and municipal sewage sludge. Biochar has received increasing attention due to its unique features for soil fertility improvement (to increase soil carbon stocks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions). Biochars' physical and chemical properties and their final application are strongly related to the type and biochemical composition of the initial biomass material used in the pyrolysis processing (at tailored process conditions) and physicochemical modifications.
This PhD research project aims to optimise the physicochemical characteristics of biochar by investigating different processing conditions and types of biomass/organic waste used as pyrolysis feedstock and modification of produced biochars for testing as soil improvers.
The main research tasks will include:
- Characterisation of waste and biomass feedstock (applying different analytical techniques including elemental analysis, analytical pyrolysis, and thermogravimetric analysis).
- Production of biochar using EBRI's mobile pyrolysis unit (Cofton Nursery, Birmingham) at various processing conditions.
- Characterisation of pyrolysis products with a focus on biochar properties (chemical composition, morphology, surface analysis, water/nutrients retention).
- Modification and testing of produced chars towards their application as soil improvers (nutrients and water remediation agents).
Person Specification
The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average, and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in Chemical Engineering or Applied Chemistry. Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of knowledge of thermal processes (particularly pyrolysis), Aspen software and characterisation of carbonaceous materials.
We would particularly like to encourage applications from women seeking to progress their academic careers. Aston University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, recognised recently by a prestigious Silver Award to EPS, and we pride ourselves on our vibrant, friendly and supportive working environment and family atmosphere.
Contact information
For formal enquiries about this project email Dr Daniel J. Nowakowski.
Submitting an application
Details of how to submit your application, and the necessary supporting documents can be found here.
Once you have contacted a supervisor, please follow the instructions on How to Apply to submit an application.
Please include the supervisor name, project title, and project reference in your Personal Statement.
For further information about the application process please contact Postgraduate Admissions.
What happens next
Applications received by 31st January will be referred by Graduate School PGR Admissions to the potential Supervisors. Potential candidate interviews will be either in-person or online. Interviewed applicants will be informed of the outcomes by April 2022.
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