PhD Studentship in Industrial Engineering (University of Nottingham)

Position Details Area Engineering Location UK Other Closing Date Thursday 30 April 2026 Reference ENG327 Programme Information The positions are filled in a first-in, first-served basis, therefore we encourage early expression of interest. Supervisors: Dr Anand Sreeram, Dr Nick Thom, Dr Richard Taylor Programme Length: Four years Contract Type: full time Prospective Start Date: Academic year: 2026/27 Key words: biogenic supply chains, sustainable materials, biobased binders, road construction Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability. Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment. The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO2 from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO2 Storage (DACCS), CO2 utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc. Training Opportunities Through our research training programme, you will be able to develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry. Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking. Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors. The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers. Details of the Project Overview and Background An exciting opportunity is available for a talented and motivated PhD candidate to pursue research on production of sustainable materials for road construction binders from renewable biogenic sources. The project will support the move from society’s reliance on materials produced from the fossil fuel supply chain to one which leverages industrial symbiosis with bio-energy and other bio-industries to produce binders for roads from renewable resources. Today, road construction relies heavily on petroleum-derived bitumen and non-renewable sourced aggregates and fillers. These traditional materials come with significant environmental burdens, including high carbon emissions, water use, land use and resource depletion. Interest in biobased binders has increased rapidly and these materials have showed potential to reduce environmental impact and may enhance durability, aging resistance and eventual pavement performance. However, large-scale adoption is limited by gaps in scientific understanding, inconsistent performance data, unclear long-term ageing behaviour, and lack of standardised test protocols. The project will explore novel technological routes to produce biogenic road binders which, when used in asphalt mixtures, provides a significant opportunity for road pavements to become technical carbon sinks. The overall aim of the project is to evaluate bio-based materials for use in road construction, focusing on mechanical performance, durability, carbon reduction, economic feasibility, and alignment with circular economy principles. The project is mainly funded by the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Negative Emissions Technologies for Net Zero (Net2Zero) with additional support from Core Additive Technologies Limited. As part of the CDT programme, you will benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training programme and skills development, including the opportunity for an industrial placement with Core Additive Technologies Limited. Person Specification The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related subject. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT and we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women. Financial Support Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27) Paid tuition fees A generous research training support grant. Overseas Applicants This opportunity is for home fee status candidates only. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility here Contact Information For academic enquiries about this project contact Gordon Airey gordon.airey@nottingham.ac.uk For any other enquiries about your application, contact the Net2Zero CDT team cdt_net2zero@aston.ac.uk Submitting an Expression of Interest When submitting the Expression of Interest we will need some information from you, we will be asking about: Your personal details for processing the application. A copy of your passport and, where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.Your personal characteristics, for monitoring purposes only. Your Academic background. We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees. If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage. Your research background and experience. Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria: Candidate’s motivation and experience: The extent to which the candidate’s expertise, experience, and ambitions align with the goals of the Net2Zero CDT programme. If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to meet the potential supervisors. If after formal interviews, you are offered a place in the training programme, you will be required to submit a formal application within the Home Institution (Aston University, University or Nottingham, University or Warwick or The Queen’s University of Belfast) Application Apply for this position here View All Vacancies If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Engineeroxy

Position Details

Area
Engineering

Location
UK Other

Closing Date
Thursday 30 April 2026

Reference
ENG327

Programme Information

The positions are filled in a first-in, first-served basis, therefore we encourage early expression of interest.

Supervisors:
Dr Anand Sreeram, Dr Nick Thom, Dr Richard Taylor

Programme Length:
Four years

Contract Type:
full time

Prospective Start Date:

Academic year:
2026/27

Key words:
biogenic supply chains, sustainable materials, biobased binders, road construction

Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment. The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO2 from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO2 Storage (DACCS), CO2 utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc.

Training Opportunities

Through our research training programme, you will be able to

develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking.
Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.

Details of the Project

Overview and Background

An exciting opportunity is available for a talented and motivated PhD candidate to pursue research on production of sustainable materials for road construction binders from renewable biogenic sources. The project will support the move from society’s reliance on materials produced from the fossil fuel supply chain to one which leverages industrial symbiosis with bio-energy and other bio-industries to produce binders for roads from renewable resources.

Today, road construction relies heavily on petroleum-derived bitumen and non-renewable sourced aggregates and fillers. These traditional materials come with significant environmental burdens, including high carbon emissions, water use, land use and resource depletion.

Interest in biobased binders has increased rapidly and these materials have showed potential to reduce environmental impact and may enhance durability, aging resistance and eventual pavement performance. However, large-scale adoption is limited by gaps in scientific understanding, inconsistent performance data, unclear long-term ageing behaviour, and lack of standardised test protocols.

The project will explore novel technological routes to produce biogenic road binders which, when used in asphalt mixtures, provides a significant opportunity for road pavements to become technical carbon sinks.

The overall aim of the project is to evaluate bio-based materials for use in road construction, focusing on mechanical performance, durability, carbon reduction, economic feasibility, and alignment with circular economy principles.

The project is mainly funded by the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Negative Emissions Technologies for Net Zero (Net2Zero) with additional support from Core Additive Technologies Limited. As part of the CDT programme, you will benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training programme and skills development, including the opportunity for an industrial placement with Core Additive Technologies Limited.

Person Specification

The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related subject.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT and we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

Financial Support

Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
Paid tuition fees
A generous research training support grant.

Overseas Applicants

This opportunity is for home fee status candidates only. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility here

Contact Information

For academic enquiries about this project contact Gordon Airey gordon.airey@nottingham.ac.uk

For any other enquiries about your application, contact the Net2Zero CDT team cdt_net2zero@aston.ac.uk

Submitting an Expression of Interest

When submitting the Expression of Interest we will need some information from you, we will be asking about:

Your personal details for processing the application.
A copy of your passport and, where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.Your personal characteristics, for monitoring purposes only.
Your Academic background. We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage.
Your research background and experience.
Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Candidate’s motivation and experience: The extent to which the candidate’s expertise, experience, and ambitions align with the goals of the Net2Zero CDT programme.
- If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to meet the potential supervisors.

If after formal interviews, you are offered a place in the training programme, you will be required to submit a formal application within the Home Institution (Aston University, University or Nottingham, University or Warwick or The Queen’s University of Belfast)