PhD Studentship - Optimising Sustainable Bioplastic Supply Chains: Modelling Nanocellulose Production in the UK

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is September 2026.

This studentship is funded through the Department’s new starter allocation.

Plastics production and disposal generate around 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, with an estimated 6.1 million tonnes entering oceans. This has driven growing demand for bioplastics as lower-emission, biodegradable alternatives. Yet, large-scale commercialisation of bioplastics faces environmental and economic challenges.

Current feedstocks pose trade-offs: edible crops such as maize and sugarcane raise food security concerns, while non-edible residues such as wood chips or fruit peels compete with animal feed and bioenergy uses. In addition, the biomass supply chain is complex and multi-actor, involving farms, pre-treatment facilities, and biorefineries. Feedstock choice, regional dynamics, and process side-streams all affect costs, energy use, and emissions.

This PhD project will develop advanced computational models to address these combinatorial decision challenges, with a specific focus on nanocellulose production in the UK. By exploring different feedstock options, supply chain configurations, and process pathways, the research aims to identify strategies that enhance both sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The outcomes will inform the design of robust, low-carbon bio-based supply chains that support the UK’s transition to a circular economy.

1. A minimum of an upper second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related discipline
2. Strong quantitative and analytical skills
3. Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
4. Good written and verbal communication skills
5. Motivation to address sustainability and climate challenges in engineering

Desirable:
1. Experience with mathematical modelling, optimisation techniques, or supply chain analysis
2. Background knowledge in bio-based materials, biorefineries, or circular economy systems
3. Prior research experience (e.g., undergraduate or master’s project) relevant to engineering sustainability
4. Evidence of teamwork and collaboration in academic or professional settings

To apply, please contact the supervisors: Dr Samantha Islam - samantha.islam@manchester.ac.uk and Prof Paul Mativenga - p.mativenga@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.