Advancing Sustainable Concrete Production through Industrial Solid Waste Utilisation and Carbon Sequestration

About the Project

This project will focus on the utilisation of industrial solid wastes in concrete formulations by implementing advanced carbonation techniques and further developing methods to enhance reaction mechanisms. The primary goal is to stimulate the reactivity of industrial waste materials, increasing their contribution to strength development.

The project involves a comprehensive assessment of various industrial solid wastes to determine their suitability for carbonation. By subjecting these waste materials to novel carbonation processes and concurrently exploring their resulting properties, we aim to significantly improve their performance in concrete mixtures. This approach will not only address waste management challenges but also maximise the environmental sustainability of concrete production.

The successful completion of this project will make a notable contribution to the decarbonisation of the construction industry and the broader field of sustainability. The outcomes emerging from this work will align seamlessly with sustainability goals and provide an exceptional platform for a motivated candidate to advance the frontiers of knowledge in waste management, CO2 sequestration, and innovative concrete formulation.

Interested candidates must have a good understanding of alternative cement binder systems, concrete sample preparation and testing, and analyses involving reaction mechanisms, mechanical performance and microstructural development.

The successful candidate will join the Manchester CREATES (Concrete Materials, Resource Efficiency and Advanced TEchnology for Sustainability) team. For more details on research team activities, please visit http://www.manchestercreates.com

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD is for self-funded students. Exceptional candidates will be considered for Faculty funding (this will include an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year).

At The University of Manchester, we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled.