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.
At a glance
- Application deadline05 May 2026
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date28 Sep 2026
- Duration of award4 years (full-time)
- EligibilityUK, Rest of world
- Reference numberCRAN-0070
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.
Funding
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. 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.
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: 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.
