Integrated Sulphation Removal and Mineral Matrix Consolidation for Pollution Induced Stone Deterioration

About the Project

Project Description:

The College of Business, Technology and Engineering draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering business, materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

This project is part of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship scheme, in which the successful applicant will undertake certain teaching duties associated with the student experience, in addition to working towards a PhD qualification. They will contribute up to 180 hours of support for research or teaching related activity per academic year. This activity forms part of the scholarship and there is no additional payment.

PhD Research Topic:

Iconic stone buildings are constantly deteriorating due to their exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and this issue is becoming more concerning due to climate change. Amongst many damages caused by the exposure to pollutants, acidic rain, and the fluctuation of environmental conditions, the formation of sulphation (i.e. black crusts) over deteriorated stone fabrics is concerning to the stone conservators. To date, most of the stone conservation techniques require the use of invasive and long-term treatments, often entailing a combination of mechanical and chemical cleaning actions followed by consolidation and repair treatments.

However, no reliable and safe stone‑conservation treatment has yet been identified that can both remove the black crust and simultaneously protect the underlying limestone fabric from further sulphation‑related deterioration.

As a result, this research project is designed to fill the gap in practical built heritage conservation by proposing integrated de-sulphation and advanced protective treatments. Using the new treatments, conservators will have the possibility to remove the sulphation over the stone fabric without impairing it further, consolidate the deteriorated mineral matrix at the same time, and protect it against pollutant deposits and acidic rain.

The project has three main aims which are:

(1) Develop at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) smarter and more effective treatments designed to ensure the long-term preservation of iconic historical limestone buildings deteriorated by sulphation and acidic rain.

(2) Trial the innovative treatments on deteriorated fabrics at Canterbury Cathedral and Gloucester Cathedral.

(3) Promote cutting edge research carried out at SHU in the field of built heritage conservation.

To succeed in the development of the novel de-sulphation and advanced protective treatments, the research will deliver five Work Packages (WPs), these are:

WP1–To develop new stone conservation treatments and to characterise their chemical and physical properties with a wide range of analytical techniques.

WP2–To test the new treatments in the laboratory on as-received historical limestone blocks provided by project partners and to compare efficiencies with control cleaning and consolidation treatments, using invasive and Non-Destructive Techniques (NDTs).

WP3–Assessing the limitations of the new treatments using accelerated artificial weathering testing

WP4–To apply the novel treatments onsite on selected deteriorated historical fabrics and assess their performance with non-destructive techniques

WP5–Disseminate research via academic events and prepare for commercialisation of new treatments

Eligibility

Applicants should hold at least a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in built heritage conservation, materials science and engineering or a related discipline.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals from groups underrepresented in postgraduate research, including but not limited to women, LGBTQ+, and minoritised ethnic groups.

Information for international applicants

English language requirements of IELTS 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in all test areas (or equivalent) are mandatory if English is not your first language. Qualifications should have been taken within the last two years. Further information can be found here.

How to apply

To apply for this GTA scholarship, please use our online application form.

You must ensure that you upload:

1. A personal statement (up to 2 pages maximum) detailing your interest in the project and how your experience in academia, industry, research or social activities makes you the best candidate (Please upload this in place of a proposal). We’re looking for evidence of:
• motivation and curiosity for postgraduate research
• analytical and technical expertise related to the research proposal
• ability to communicate clearly
• planning and organisational skills
• ability to work independently and collaborate with others
• commitment to integrity and responsible research
• resilience to setbacks and challenges
• where you might contribute to teaching
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two referees, at least one from an academic and both dated within the last 2 years
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate
4. Non-UK applicants must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport

If you are applying for multiple GTA projects, please clearly list them all in your application. You will need to submit a tailored personal statement for each project.

Application deadline: 07 May 2026

Start date: October 2026

Interviews: TBC

Information about our research degrees can be found here.

Funding Notes

The GTA scholarship is for 3.5 years of full-time study and provides tuition fees at both the UK (home) and international level plus a maintenance bursary in line with guidance from UK Research and Innovation and the Living Wage Foundation (for illustrative purposes, the Sheffield Hallam University bursary for 25/26 is £22152). GTA scholarships are open to both UK (home) and international applicants.