This exciting fully funded PhD, with an enhanced stipend of £25,726 per annum (with tuition fees covered), is sponsored by Anglian Water and EPSRC. It directly tackles one of the central challenges the water sector currently faces – unlocking alternative water supplies to support economic activity and growth, without compromising the resilience of public water services, in a water stressed region. The project will examine how commercial water users view the risks and benefits of using water reuse systems to provide non-drinking water for a range of applications (e.g. for cooling and industrial processes) and assess emerging governance opportunities and hurdles. 

England is facing growing challenges in long-term water security, with the Environment Agency predicting huge shortfalls in water supply in the coming decades if nothing changes in our current practices. These challenges are already affecting commercial and industrial sectors, as some water companies have had to limit non-domestic water supplies due to a lack of resource. With some water-hungry sectors (such as data centres and other high-tech industries) prioritised for significant growth in water stressed regions, these challenges are set to become more acute. Water reuse – reclaiming different streams of wastewater to supply non-potable (non-drinking) water for different applications – offers one mechanism for commercial sectors to meet their water needs without putting additional pressure on public water services.  
 
The aim of this project is to examine how commercial water users view the risks and benefits of using water reuse systems to provide non-drinking water for a range of applications (e.g. for cooling and industrial processes) and assess emerging governance opportunities and hurdles. The successful candidate will have flexibility in designing research approach and drawing on a wide range of social science methods. Key commercial sectors include (but are not limited to) data centres and high-tech industries, as well as food and beverage production. 
 
The industrial partner of this project is Anglian Water, which is the largest water and wastewater company by area in England and a leader in sustainable water management and innovation. It supplies water to over five million people and manages wastewater services for more than seven million people. The company actively supports research that addresses practical challenges across the UK water sector, including nature-based solutions, low-carbon treatment technologies, and resource efficiency, helping to drive innovation and resilience across the industry. This project will advance their existing work in exploring possibilities for water reuse (see their recent report).
 
Results will help water companies and retailers understand the needs and concerns of key non-household customers in relation to water reuse. They will also directly inform emerging water sector strategies and regulator discussions around water reuse, to help support more widespread adoption of water reuse while managing associated risks.       
 
This project is a collaboration between Cranfield University, Anglian Water, 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, and access to world-leading experimental facilities. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to undertake an international placement. More details of the CDT WIRe. It is an inclusive and diverse doctoral centre and welcomes applications from all highly motivated individuals, regardless of background, identity or disability.
 
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) and an international network of colleagues.

At a glance

  • Application deadline25 Mar 2026
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date28 Sep 2026
  • Duration of award4 years (full-time)
  • EligibilityUK, Rest of world
  • Reference numberCRAN-0056

Supervisor

1st Supervisor: Dr Heather Smith

2nd Supervisor:  Dr Marc Pidou

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant discipline. A relevant MSc degree is desirable but not essential. A track record of working in the water sector would also be welcomed. This project would suit candidates from a wide range of subjects including Geography, Environmental Studies, Sustainability Studies, Business (with a focus on environmental risks), Water or Civil Engineering, or other related social science degrees. It is essential that candidates have experience of, or a good understanding of, qualitative and quantitative social research methods. Candidates should be self-motivated, have strong communication skills for regular interaction with stakeholders, and should demonstrate a keen interest in applied social science research and the governance of the water sector.

Funding

Sponsored by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe) and Anglian Water, this PhD studentship will provide a bursary of £25,726 (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. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used.

Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield

We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Cranfield strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential.

At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.

We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme. 

Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield 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 Heather Smith
Email: h.m.smith@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.