Dr H Haynes
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Declining water quality has become a global issue of concern as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change alters the hydrological cycle. Increased runoff of sediment, nutrients and contaminants has lowered river water quality and ecosystem health, via siltation of fish spawning gravels, turbidity-restricted growth of light-dependent plants and animals, exposure to new nanopollutants etc.
Our research here at Heriot-Watt University aims to improve remediation technologies and better understand fundamental small-scale flow-sediment-chemical process controls (transport, interactions and fate). To do this, we are moving away from traditional 1D or 2D analysis techniques in favour of 3D spatio-temporal imaging (X-ray computed tomography) of the internal structure of opaque porous media and the related fluid exchange and chemical reactions occurring within. Using combined experimental-numerical modelling approach this project aims to further explore process interactions specific to: (i) natural riverine benthic habitats; (ii) water filtration systems in sustainable urban drainage systems, (iii) contaminated soils.
This experimental programme will benefit from Heriot-Watt’s state-of-the-art CT scanning, flume and water quality laboratory facilities and strategically aligns with runoff management research on EPSRC Urban Flood Resilience in an Uncertain Future; www.urbanfloodresilience.ac.uk/
Funding Notes
Scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend of approximately £14,500 (at the RCUK approved rate) for the 36 month duration of the project.
To be eligible, applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent).
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