This fully funded PhD, with a stipend of £20,000 pa, is sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society and EPSRC. The research offers an exciting opportunity to develop a nature-based solution (NbS) for the treatment of greywater for irrigation use. This is an experimental program that will explore how the selection of plants and the design of a compact NbS system impacts the ability to clean greywater to a level suitable for garden irrigation. The successful candidate will work closely with the RHS and spend at least 50 % of the time at their Wisley site.
There is not enough water to meet our needs. At least not from our traditional sources such that an emerging negative water supply-demand balance is expected across most of the UK. Particular note is given to the elevated demand during the summer months which is linked to outside use and especially horticultural irrigation. This can equate to a doubling of water use for some properties and this demand is difficult to meet from rainwater harvesting alone. An appropriate alternative is greywater recycling which can provide adequate water for horticultural irrigation all year round and hence remediate existing supply resilience challenges if adopted in locations with active horticulture from single household to large gardens (such as the RHS gardens).
Previous work at Cranfield investigated the potential of NBS for greywater recycling and found that shallow vertical cascading wetlands planted with garden appropriate plants was very effective and could deliver a water quality similar to that of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) but at a reduced cost making it affordable for a large percentage of gardeners in the UK. However, the work identified key areas of unresolved science that inhibited further development and potential implementation around plant-water interactions. The aim of the PhD is to resolve such knowledge gaps to enable the development of a design approach for a plant-based technology to recycle greywater for horticultural irrigation. Initial discussions have identified two target applications: (1) A prototype single house systems and (2) a design for potential inclusion in RHS Wisely whereby greywater recycling enables the garden to no longer need river abstraction.
This PhD project will allow the successful candidate to demonstrate their ability to conduct cutting edge applied research, whilst benefiting from the support of academic supervisors and industrial input from a collaborating technology provider. Cranfield University is well known for its excellence in delivering research for the water industry and our students are a key part of this relationship, often finding careers within the industry after completing their studies at Cranfield.
The Water Science Institute has an international reputation for its transformational research and teaching in the science, engineering and management of water in the municipal, industrial and natural environments.
The RHS will contribute throughout the project by providing data, knowledge and the staff’s expertise in terms of specific needs within the project and the general development and training of the student. The student is expected to spend around a half of the project at RHS Wisley and will be fully integrated into their research team.
The project will deliver key results in terms of key design parameters as well as the potential impact of trace components on plant growth. Ultimately this will lead to a prototype design which will be tested to enable further development.
This project will provide the successful candidate with exposure to both academic research in Cranfield and practical research and practice at RHS Wisley. The candidate will be expected to present at appropriate conferences and contribution dissemination activities for both Cranfield and RHS.
At the end of the project the successful candidate will be very well positioned to have a very successful career in the water sector, academia or the NbS sector. 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 that will be highly desirable for future employability.
At a glance
- Application deadline: 19 Feb 2025
- Award type(s): PhD
- Start date: 24 Mar 2025
- Duration of award: 4 year
- Eligibility: UK
- Reference number: SWEE0287
Supervisor
1st Supervisor: Prof Bruce Jefferson
2nd Supervisor: Dr Marc Pidou
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or international equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit in a relevant subject such as chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, horticultural science or other relevant engineering/science degree. The ideal candidate should have some understanding of water science. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest in applied scientific research.
Funding
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.
Sponsored through the EPSRC iCASE award with sponsorship from the Royal Horticultural Society his studentship will provide a bursary of up to £20,000 per annum (tax free) plus fees* for four years.
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 Bruce Jefferson
Email: b.jefferson@cranfield.ac.uk
If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the online application form. 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.
