Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in the Novel Heterogeneous Catalytic Process for Net-Zero Water Industry (RS860)

  • DeadlineDeadline: 25 August 2025
  • WalesWales

Description

Closing date: 25 August 2025

Open to: UK applicants only

Funding provider: EPSRC  

Subject areas: Chemical Engineering, Catalysis, Water treatment, Net-Zero 

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors: 

  • Primary: Dr Afsanehsadat ‘Mary’ Larimi, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering 
  • Secondary: Prof Chedly Tizaoui,  Swansea University, Chemical Engineering 
  • Additional Supervisor: Dr Rui Tan, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering 
  • Additional Supervisor: Dr James Courtney, Swansea University, Chemical Engineering 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemical Engineering 

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

In the UK, industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture generate significant amounts of organic wastewater. Annually, the UK produces 2.4 billion cubic meters of wastewater, with about 50-70% being organic. Environmental regulations, including the Water Resources Act 1991, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the Water Industry Act 1991, mandate that wastewater must be treated before being discharged into the environment. Thus, these industries require effective wastewater treatment solutions to mitigate environmental impacts and comply with regulations. However, conventional treatment technologies face limitations related to high energy consumption and inefficiencies in removing toxic non-biodegradable organics. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are also energy-intensive. To reduce emissions while maintaining the benefits of AOPs, this project explores catalytic means of organic wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous catalysis, an emerging technology, offers the potential to enhance treatment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize sludge production.  This technology uses solid catalysts such as titanium dioxide, activated carbon, and zeolite-supported materials. 

This project aligns with the Net-Zero Water Industry's goal of minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Funding duration: 3 years

For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/engineering-epsrc-phd-chemical-engineering-2025-rs860.php

Entry Requirements

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.  See – Country Specific Postgraduate Entry Requirements. 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

How To Apply

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS860 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

  • In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS860
  • the scholarship
  • Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
  • Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
  • In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
  • Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

  • CV 
  • Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 
  • A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 
  • One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 
  • Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 
  • Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 
  • Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Afsanehsadat ‘Mary’ Larimi a.larimi@swansea.ac.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

Who is eligible to apply?

Open to: UK applicants only

Find out more

Add to my list

Learn more about Swansea University

Where is Swansea University?