An evaluation of phosphorous removal mechanisms in physico-chemical wastewater treatment systems.

We are seeking a candidate for this full-time 3-year PhD studentship in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying at the University of Portsmouth to work in collaboration with Southern Water. This exciting project offers a high quality research environment combined with opportunity to gain industrial experience in a practical project with supervisors from the University and Southern Water.

The studentship will study the performance and treatment mechanisms of systems for removal and recovery of phosphorous from wastewater. The fieldwork will be undertaken at the University’s Environmental Technology Field Station at Southern Water’s Petersfield Wastewater Treatment Works. This recently upgraded facility has laboratories and test beds where technologies can be evaluated using real sewage pumped from the works. The project will involve developing test rigs and undertaking water quality monitoring of wastewater effluents. Full scale monitoring at other local small wastewater treatment works will also be required. The work will also involve laboratory studies of the fate and kinetics of phosphorus uptake in various physical removal technologies. This will use advanced analytical and imaging facilities available at the main University site. The project will also assess the economic and environmental aspects of the technologies, through tools such as Whole Life Costing and Life Cycle Analysis. The outcomes will inform future industrial practice and provide ideal training for a career in the water industry or environmental protection.

As a University of Portsmouth research student, you will join a growing and dynamic research community, allowing you to share your experiences, insight and inspiration with fellow researchers. You will benefit from our academic expertise, and be supported through a strong programme of research training. You will be offered opportunities and support at each stage of your research degree.

We envisage that interviews will take place on Thursday 8th December 2016.
Start date: The successful applicant will be expected to start on 1 February 2017.
Preferred status: full time.

For administrative enquiries, please contact Jason Searle ([Email Address Removed]), telephone +44 (0) 23 9284 2604.
For academic enquiries, please contact Dr John Williams ([Email Address Removed]), telephone +44 (0)23 9284 2404.

How to apply:
Applicants must have a minimum of a UK upper second class honours degree (2.1), or equivalent, in environmental engineering or an environmentally related science discipline. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject is desirable. If English is not the applicant’s first language, they must provide evidence that they meet the University’s minimum English language requirements for postgraduate study. As travel between sites is required a full driving licence is desirable.

Please use the online application form, and state the bursary code and studentship title in the personal statement section. You will be asked to upload a short proposal detailing how you would address the project which will form the basis of a 10 minute presentation at the interview to be held at the Environmental Technology Field Station. Please quote reference: ACES2841116.

The School of Civil Engineering is committed to equality of opportunity and has applied for an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, we therefore welcome applications from groups of people under represented in science and engineering research.