An evaluation of the wastewater treatment performance and hydraulic characteristics of submerged aerated filters.

Qualification type: PhD
Location: Portsmouth
Funding for: UK Students, EU Students
Funding amount: £16,553 tax free, tuition fees paid
Hours: Full Time
Start date: 1 February 2018

This exciting 3-year project offers an opportunity to gain research and industrial experience in a practical project with supervisors from the University and WPL, a wastewater treatment company based close to Portsmouth.

The studentship will study the performance and treatment mechanisms of pilot submerged aerated filters for wastewater treatment. The project will be based at the University’s Environmental Technology Field Station at Petersfield Wastewater Treatment Works. This facility has laboratories and test beds where technologies can be evaluated using real sewage. The project will involve operating a pilot plant and undertaking wastewater quality monitoring. The student will also undertake Computer Fluid Dynamic modelling of the hydraulic properties of submerged aerated filters to develop an understanding of the treatment mechanisms and inform the design of future plants. The outcomes will therefore inform future industrial practice and provide ideal training for a career in the water sector.

The successful applicant will join a growing and dynamic research community. You will benefit from our academic expertise and be supported through a strong programme of research training.

How to apply:
Applicants must have a minimum of a UK upper second class honours degree (2.1), or equivalent, in engineering or technical environmental science discipline. Experience of numerical modelling, preferably in a hydraulic context, is required and wastewater treatment knowledge is desirable. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject is also 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 for the Architecture, Civil Engineering and Surveying subject area and state the studentship title in the personal statement section. You will be asked to prepare 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.

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

For administrative enquiries, please contact Christina Hampson ([Email Address Removed]), telephone +44 (0) 23 9284 2604.

For academic enquiries, please contact Prof John Williams ([Email Address Removed]), telephone +44 (0)23 9284 2404.