PhD Studentship - Centre for Doctoral Training in Process Industries: Net Zero - Advanced Process Intensification Strategies for Chemical and Catalytic Reactions Using Taylor–Couette Reactor Technology

About the Project

Overview

This PhD project is part of the CDT in Process Industries: Net Zero and is supported by our industry partner Laminar, a South Korean company which has commercialised Taylor flow reactors since 2010.

Taylor-Couette reactors offer a unique way to enhance mixing, shear and transport by exploiting flow with controlled vortices generated between rotating cylinders. With flow regimes that can be precisely tuned from laminar to turbulent, these systems have enormous potential for process intensification in chemical reactions and solid handling.

This PhD project will tackle the key challenges limiting their wider application in industry relevant processes. You will investigate how reactor geometry and engineered microstructures influence hydrodynamics, performance and product uniformity in selected chemical and/or catalytic reactions and solids processing. Through a combination of experimental investigation and fundamental analysis, your work will help define the next generation of industrial scale Taylor-Couette reactor design, delivering better performance, greater reliability, and new opportunities for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

You will be taught a range of skills to complement, drive and strengthen your research: design of experiments, life-cycle analysis, techno-economic analysis, digital and business skills, ethics etc. You will also undertake short courses in the core subjects of this PhD programme including process intensification and green chemistry.

If you are a curious, ambitious chemical engineering or related engineering graduate eager to work at the intersection of fluid mechanics, reactor engineering and process innovation, this project offers the chance to make a genuine impact while developing highly sought-after research skills.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 1 October 2026

Award duration: 4 years

Application closing date: 26 May 2026

Sponsor: EPSRC

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project. Due to nature of this project, the candidate should have a strong background in Engineering, especially chemical engineering or another closely related engineering subject. Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements

This studentship is available to Home Students only.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8856F
• Leave the 'Research Area' field blank
• Select PhD in Process Industries; Net Zero (PINZ’)as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• The studentship codePINZ04-26 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• ‘Research Proposal’ - when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal –select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Funding Notes

100% fees (UK Home only), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000.