Sustainable Aviation Fuel production by process intensification

About the Project

This PhD project will be carried out in the framework of an international collaboration with European partners who are willing to develop new processes for sustainable aviation fuels using new Fischer-Tropsch reactors. This is a project which combines experimental and modelling activities. The project will focus on testing and validation of advanced reactor design at pilot scale, their modelling, and operation to demonstrate their performance at relevant industrial conditions.

The candidate will collaborate with other researchers, academics and the technical team of the Pilot Hall area in the James Chadwick Building (https://www.scieng.manchester.ac.uk/tomorrowlabs/industrial-hub-for-sustainable-engineering/).

The candidate is expected to attend periodic project meetings with project partners (every 6 months) all over Europe as well as disseminate the results in peer-reviewed papers and conferences.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree and a master’s (or international equivalent) in chemical or process engineering is essential for this position.

Funding

This is a 4 year PhD project, we aim to start in April 2026.

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Given the high competitive nature of university funded scholarships, applicants with strong track record on chemical and process engineering, proven experience of research will be given full consideration.

Self-funded applicants are welcome to inquiry the supervisor, however, same criteria and desirable skills applies.

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