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We have 303 Chemical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Chemical Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 303 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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Electrochemical Optimisation for Waste-to-Value Conversion of Spent Coffee Grounds

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are produced at scale by cafés, roasters, offices and households, yet are commonly downcycled or go to landfill. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr M Jones, Dr Ilija Rasovic, Dr K Goode
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Self Driving Lab for the investigation of emulsion

Most chemical products consist of multiple compounds that are formulated together, of which the development process is iterative, laborious, and complex. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof Z Zhang
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Study of Hydrodynamics and Interfacial Electrochemistry in Next-Generation Membraneless Fuel Cells

Current fuel-cell technologies suffer from major limitations associated with the use of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), including high material cost, fuel crossover, membrane degradation, water management challenges, and lack of long-term operational stability. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr A Anastasiou, Dr M Perez-Page
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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PINZ CDT PhD Studentship: Development of Continuous Flow Reactor System for CO2 Hydrogenation to Acetic Acid and Ethanol

Overview. Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies offer a route to sustainable chemical production by transforming captured CO. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof S Duckett, Prof R E Douthwaite, Prof J Lee
 23 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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(SATURN CDT)Simulation of particle agglomeration, attrition and breakup for nuclear waste transport and retrieval processes

The safe retrieval, transport and processing of radioactive waste slurries is one of the most significant engineering challenges in nuclear decommissioning. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof M Fairweather, Dr L F Mortimer
 31 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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What process options are available for treatment of hazardous chemicals at the point of entry to sewer?

We invite applications for a fully funded MSc by Research investigating innovative solutions for the removal of hazardous chemicals, including PFAS, at the point of entry to sewer. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr P Campo Moreno, Dr TL Lyu
 8 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Development and Optimisation of Adsorbents for the Detection and Environmental Remediation of Organic Pollutants

Background. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now recognised as one of the most persistent and widespread classes of environmental contaminants. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr M Little, Prof S J Dalgarno
 3 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Hybrid Cellulose–Metal Foam Phase Change Composites for Thermal Energy Storage (LANDINIS_U27EMP)

Primary Supervisor. Dr. Stefano Landini. Phase change materials (PCMs) offer compact, temperature-targeted thermal energy storage but suffer from leakage during melting, low thermal conductivity and limited mechanical robustness, which restrict their integration into practical systems. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr S Landini
 31 March 2027  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Rheology of Dense Suspensions of Elongated Particles

This PhD tackles a fundamental open problem in soft matter physics that sits at the heart of multiple industries and natural systems. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr C Ness, Dr G Melaugh
 1 March 2027  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Modelling reactive two-phase flow in porous media

  Research Group: Subsurface Reservoir Flow Group (SRFG)
PhD/Postdoctoral Position in Reactive Multiphase Flow and CO₂ Mineralization for Direct Air Capture. The Subsurface Reservoir flow group in Tel Aviv University led by Prof. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof A Rabinovich
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
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Design and Development of Ultra‑Long‑Acting Injectable Depot Technologies for Chronic Viral Infection Therapy

This project aims to create an ultra‑long‑acting injectable platform capable of delivering antiviral therapy for months at a time. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof S Qi
 31 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Simulation of particle agglomeration, attrition and breakup for nuclear waste transport and retrieval processes

  Research Group: School of Chemical and Process Engineering
The safe retrieval, transport and processing of radioactive waste slurries is one of the most significant engineering challenges in nuclear decommissioning. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof M Fairweather, Dr L F Mortimer
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Value Recovery from Agricultural Residues

Project Overview. TLarge quantities of crop residues are generated annually in grain production systems, yet much of this biomass remains underutilised. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr SJP Park
 25 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Utilisation of CO2 for subsurface energy extraction

The research focuses on developing computational frameworks for various techniques of utilising CO2 for extracting heat from geothermal sources. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr M Babaei
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Utilisation of CO2 for subsurface energy extraction

The research focuses on developing computational frameworks for various techniques of utilising CO2 for extracting heat from geothermal sources. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr M Babaei
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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