About the Project
Applications are invited for a Postgraduate Research studentship, supported by School of Engineering and Physical Science to be undertaken within the Department of Chemical Engineering at Aston University. The successful applicant will join an established experimental group working on Sustainable membrane manufacturing.
Location
This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will need to be located within a reasonable distance of the campus, and will be expected to visit in person regularly.
Overseas Applicants
Overseas students are welcome to apply for this position.
Details of the Project
Membrane-based processes are gaining attention for their efficiency, modularity, and relatively low energy requirements compared to distillation or adsorption. The global membrane market is projected to reach USD 29.5 billion by 2030, driven by demand for stricter regulations and technological advances. With the EU’s proposed ban on fluorinated and petroleum-based polymers and toxic organic solvents in membrane manufacturing, there is an urgent need for fully bio-based alternatives. Biomass waste offers an abundant, renewable, and underutilised resource for developing sustainable materials, reducing dependence on fossil-derived feedstocks while addressing waste management challenges. Valorising these residues into bio-based polymer precursors, aligns with circular economy principles by transforming waste streams into functional materials that replace fossil-derived polymers. This project aims to develop a novel, sustainable approach for fabricating free-standing polyelectrolyte membranes derived from waste biomass, using green solvents. This research will advance sustainable membrane technologies capable of effectively removing emerging micropollutants such as PFAS, diclofenac, carbamazepine, and sulfamethoxazole from real wastewater. By moving beyond laboratory proof-of-concept, it will generate practical evidence of impact, supported by scalable fabrication protocols relevant to industrial partners and regulatory bodies concerned with water safety. Successful candidate will be part of a diverse research team at the Energy and Bio-products Research Institute (EBRI) and Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, with extensive support in terms of materials synthesis, characterisation and membrane testing. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary research team with strong expertise in green materials, membrane fabrication, and advanced characterisation. You will also benefit from excellent research facilities and dedicated technical support to help drive your work forward.
Person Specification
Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
- A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1.
OR
- A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply
Desirable qualifications and experience
Qualifications: The applicants are expected to hold a first class MChem/MEng or MSc
degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
Experience: We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong background in organic
or polymer chemistry, and a curiosity for innovation. The candidate should be passionate
about cutting-edge materials science and possess excellent aptitude for:
· Tailored synthesis of functional polymers
· Advanced characterisation techniques (NMR, GPC, LCMS, DSC, etc.)
· Structure–property relationships in novel materials
· Exceptional teamworking and communication (written and oral)
Contact information
For formal enquiries about this project contact Dr Olawumi Sadare at o.sadare@aston.ac.uk.
Submitting an application
We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include:
1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
4. A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.
5. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
6. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
7. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.
Interviews
Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.
Apply for this position here
Alternatively, apply here.
If you require further information about the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk
Funding Notes
This studentship includes a bursary to cover the tuition fees rate, plus an annual maintenance allowance.
