This is an exciting opportunity to study for a PhD funded by the EPSRC-funded EnerHy CDT and Sustainable Plastics Solutions.  Offering an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 and tuition fees covered for home students.  The successful candidate will work on the emerging topic of chemical recycling of plastic wastes to produce liquid fuels and chemicals.

Plastic wastes are gaining increased attention, with recent or emerging policy drivers adding extra emphasis on sustainable management of waste plastics. Chemical recycling of plastics, via pyrolysis, to value-added products is a potential approach for dealing with low-grade plastic wastes with a limited conventional recycling pathway. Products include platform compounds for manufacturing, liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and importantly, hydrogen. Plastics are comprised of numerous polymers, thus the products of each vary through chemical recycling processes 
 
This project seeks to develop an in-depth understanding of the pathways of each individual polymer and polymer mixtures through a pilot-scale facility, with a specific focus on hydrogen production and utilization. Through developing an in-depth understanding of the chemical pathways, the PhD researcher will make a significant contribution to knowledge to the mechanistic understanding of thermal decomposition of polymers under varying process conditions. Furthermore, this research will focus on the development of a model, allowing for virtual testing and optimisation of the chemical recycling process.  This includes potential for hydrogen recovery, and its use in the hydrogenation of pyrolytic oils to produce desirable products, including SAF precursors. 
 
The researcher will become part of the EPSRC-funded EnerHy Centre for Doctoral Training, so will join a community of researchers and have substantial training and development opportunities.  The researcher will also spend significant periods of time based at the Sustainable Plastic Solutions site, so applicants should be prepared to travel independently. 

At a glance

  • Application deadline20 Aug 2025
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date29 Sep 2025
  • Duration of award4 Years
  • EligibilityUK
  • Reference numberSWEE0295

Supervisor

1st Supervisor: Dr Stuart Wagland

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. This project would suit applicants with experience in practical working, either in a laboratory or in an industrial setting.

Funding

Sponsored by The EPSRC EnerHy CDT in collaboration with Sustainable Plastic Solutions. This studentship will provide a bursary of up to £20,780* (tax free) plus tuition fees for UK (home) students for four years.

*To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a home student. We require that applicants are under no restrictions regarding how long they can stay in the UK.

ÌúÅ£ÊÓƵ Doctoral Network

Research students at ÌúÅ£ÊÓƵ benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the ÌúÅ£ÊÓƵ Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact: 
Name: Dr Stuart Wagland
Email: s.t.wagland@cranfield.ac.uk
 

If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the  Please note we will be interviewing as applications are received.

This vacancy may be filled before the closing date so early application is strongly encouraged.

For further information about application please visit Applying for a research degree.