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We have 277 Chemical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Chemical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 277 Chemical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

PhDs in Chemical Engineering are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of chemical processes and engineering principles.

Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the development of new materials, the optimisation of chemical processes, and the advancement of sustainable technologies.

Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.

Why study a PhD in Chemical Engineering?

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A PhD in Chemical Engineering allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Chemical Engineering, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:

  • Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating engineering theories and practices to address challenges.
  • Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Further Career Development

If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.

After completing your PhD in Chemical Engineering, a potential career option might be employment as a Researcher. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, a Researcher earns an average of £33,356 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.

Improve Employability

Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 81% of Engineering PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.

What do prospective Engineering PhD students think about study?

We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Engineering PhD students in 2023:

  • 76% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
  • 79% preferred on campus learning, 6% preferred online/distance learning, and 15% preferred a blended approach.
  • 12% were interested in part-time study.
  • In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
    • Subject interest
    • Career progress
    • Challenge

If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!

Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.

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Chemical recycling and life cycle assessment of next-generation thermoplastic composites for wind turbine blade manufacture

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience; a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr I Martin-Fabiani, Dr T Radu, Dr F Hatton
 23 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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(SATURN CDT) Photonics-based Corrosion Monitoring of Stainless Steel Filter Materials

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT    . UoM_Nuclear. Metal filters play an essential part to ensure containment of nuclear waste and other hazardous products. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof D Engelberg, Prof P Martin
 1 September 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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AI-Assisted Modelling of Flow and Compaction of Refractory Metal Powders

  Research Group: School of Computer Science
Please note that the start date for this project is 1 February 2027. One fully funded PhD scholarship is available jointly in the School of Computer Science and the School of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds in 2026/27. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr A Rabbani, Dr X Jia, Dr W P Goh
 30 September 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Real-time 4D Imaging of Transient Multiphase Flows

Multiphase flows are common in natural and industrial processes, such as fuel injection in high-speed aeroengines (e.g., Scramjets), bubbles in electrolyzers, and blood flows. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr K Rajamanickam
 4 August 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Novel fuel system architectures to enable the ultra-efficient gas turbine heat management system

Join our diverse and inclusive team to transform the future of aviation as part of the UK’s EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Aviation. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr I Roumeliotis, Dr E Anselmi Palma
 29 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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PhD Studentship in Photocatalysis

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship (home or international) in photocatalytic air-to-fuel conversion under the supervision of Professor Erwin Reisner within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr E Reisner
 2 November 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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PhD Studentship in Chemical Engineering

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship (home or international) in chemical engineering under the supervision of Professor Erwin Reisner within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr E Reisner
 23 October 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuels through Fuel Design, Combustion and Emissions Characterisation

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) offers a key pathway for aviation decarbonisation by enabling the use of renewable, waste-derived carbon sources and captured CO₂ to produce jet fuel alternatives. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof L C Ganippa
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Numerical simulation and optimisation of Deflagration and Detonation arresters’ performance

Demand for energy and petrochemical products has been on the raise in recent decades leading to huge production, transportation and storage infrastructures all around the world. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr A Heidari
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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AI-enabled Digital Design of Sodium-ion Batteries Using Advanced Multi-scale Computing and 3D Characterisation Techniques

Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a scalable and resource-resilient technology for stationary energy storage and low-cost electrified transport, yet their commercial deployment is still limited by coupled materials, interface, microstructure and cell-level challenges. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr Z Niu
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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IC-3-9 Sustainable Dyes from Recycled Rare Earth Materials

This PhD is one of a number of projects hosted by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures (CDT-GIF). We are offering pioneering research projects that will enable PhD researchers to explore key technologies and solutions that will support UK industry to reach net zero. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof P Fennell, Dr J Hallett
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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How Do Mechanical Forces Shape Organs? Developmental Biophysics and Bioengineering of Ciliated Tissues

We invite applications from candidates eligible for UK student status for a PhD project investigating how mechanical forces contribute to development, and how these principles can be harnessed to inspire engineering solutions for tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr F Boselli
 31 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Fully Funded PhD: CO₂ Conversion, Reactor Design and Process Integration

Project description. The successful capture of CO₂ is only useful if the captured material can then be handled, converted or used in a practical and economically sustainable way. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr P Donnellan
 7 August 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Fully Funded PhD: Novel Cryogenic Energy Storage and CO₂ Capture

Project overview. The transition to a renewable electricity system will require large-scale energy storage technologies which are safe, scalable and not restricted to particular geographical locations. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr P Donnellan
 7 August 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Model-based control for improved downstream processing of recombinant proteins.

Since 1986, mAb manufacturing has shifted from low-titre processes (<0.5 g/L) to intensified and perfusion systems exceeding 10 g/L, creating severe downstream processing bottlenecks. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr J Whelan
 15 August 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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