The benefits of applying innovative technology in drinking water treatment - PhD

About the Project

This exciting fully funded PhD, with an enhanced stipend of £26,546 per annum (with fees covered), is sponsored by UKWIR and EPSRC. The work will derive the experimental evidence base required to ensure that the most appropriate water treatment solutions are selected to minimise cost and whole-life carbon associated with removing emerging water quality challenges. You will undertake lab and pilot scale experiments using a range of water treatment processes (conventional and emerging) to establish the operational envelops of these technologies against multiple water treatment challenges (for example, PFAS, microplastics and viruses). This will determine the best combinations of treatment for different water quality conditions.

Water treatment scientists are currently understanding how to manage issues associated with PFAS, microplastics, DBPs and viruses. Individual technology solutions are being developed for each challenge independently of the others (for example, activated carbon, IEX and membranes), which risks siloed investment, process redundancy and technology obsolescence. But how well do processes designed to remove one specific substance work for other substances and how might technologies be effectively combined to address multiple challenges? There is a genuine paucity of understanding about how each technology performs against water quality challenges that it was not directly designed for.

PhD project will explore a range of research questions:

• How does the background water matrix impact the synergistic and antagonistic nature of the removal pathways for each technology?
• How can different technologies be adapted to maximise removal across different substances of emerging concern?
• What is the optimum solution for different combinations of substances of emerging concern in terms of economics and whole-life carbon?

The work will provide an evidence-based framework to select technologies (and their operating conditions) to match to multiple contaminant challenges in order to maximise the benefit of the investment at least cost. This will inform water company investment strategy, guiding both what processes to invest in, and when. Outcomes will also highlight substances of emerging concern for which there are currently no technical or economically viable treatment options, informing further research in this area

This project is a collaboration between Cranfield University, UKWIR, and EPSRC, and is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe). The WIRe programme offers a bespoke training programme in technical and personal skills, access to world-leading experimental facilities. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to undertake an international placement. More details can be found here CDT WIRe. It is an inclusive and diverse doctoral centre and welcomes applications from all highly motivated individuals, regardless of background, identity or disability.

The industrial partner of this project is UKWIR – the UK Water Industry Research organisation. UKWIR undertakes research on behalf of the UK water utility companies. They work closely with water company representatives who provide expert, industry insight across each our Big Questions, leading and driving forward our programme of research and ensuring our work directly meets the current and future needs of the industry.

At the end of the project the successful applicant will be very well positioned to have a highly successful career in the water sector or in an academic role. We will help you develop into a dynamic, confident and highly competent researcher with wider transferable skills (communication, project management and leadership) with an international network of colleagues.

Supervisor

1st Supervisor: Professor Peter Jarvis

2nd Supervisor: Professor Bruce Jefferson

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant discipline. This project would suit candidates from relevant subjects including Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Water Engineering, Civil or Chemical Engineering, or other related science or engineering degrees. Candidates should be self-motivated, have strong communication skills for regular interaction with stakeholders, and demonstrate a keen interest in applied scientific research.

How to apply

For further information please contact:

Name: Prof Peter Jarvis

Email: p.jarvis@cranfield.ac.uk

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received. Therefore, we encourage early submission, as the position may be filled before the stated deadline.

Funding Notes

Sponsored by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe) and the UK Water Industry Research organisation (UKWIR), this PhD studentship will provide a bursary of £26,546 (tax free) and cover registration fees for four years. Extra training and placement (overseas/industry) costs will be covered, subject to supervisor approval.

This studentship is open to both Home and Overseas fee status students, however we are only permitted to offer a limited number of studentships to students with Overseas fee status.