Sustainability assessment of novel biorefinery systems

This project will focus on life cycle and techno-economic sustainability assessment of novel biorefinery systems, focused on converting waste to useful energy or platform chemicals. There will be opportunities to collaborate with world-class researchers at other leading academic institutions, as well as with our industrial partners. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated applicants with an interest in sustainability and circular economy. Experience in LCA, TEA, and/or process simulation is desirable.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Siddharth Gadkari and will be based at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering. The department has a long history of excellence in sustainability research. If selected the student needs to be able to start in July 2022.

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 degree in Chemical Engineering, or other relevant engineering/science disciplines. Preferably applicants will hold an MEng or MSc degree, though exceptional BSc/B.Tech students will be considered.

UK, EU and international students are welcome to apply.

Language requirements:

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

Research group: Sustainable Energy and Materials

Our aim is to develop science-based predictive models, design tools and innovative manufacturing processes for formulated products. This is underpinned by our active research in particulate materials manufacturing, multiphase flow, advanced numerical modelling using coupled discrete element methods with computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD) and finite element modelling (FEM), process modelling and optimisation, and measurements and characterisation using advanced techniques.