Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town: Doctoral Research Scholarship
Optimisation of a Biodigester System for Energy and Agroecology Applications
Location: The Water Hub, Franschhoek, South Africa
Starting Date: 2026 (flexible)
Duration: 3 years, full-time
The Water Hub research facility is managed by the University of Cape Town’s Future Water Institute and is located in Franschhoek. A PhD scholarship is being offered to research the optimisation and assessment of the operation of a 100kg containerised biodigester system capable of converting food and organic waste into biogas for heating and refrigeration and using digestate for small-scale agroecology production. This doctoral project will suit a student with a MSc in chemical engineering (or similar) with technical, bioprocessing and sustainability science and interests in developing applications in environmental biotechnology and circular economy innovation. The project forms part of the initiatives at the Water Hub with international collaborators to demonstrate decentralised, low-carbon resource recovery technologies for African contexts. The successful candidate will contribute to developing a scalable, energy-efficient waste-to-resource model that supports food security, employment opportunities for youth from the adjacent settlement, and environmental sustainability.
Research Aims
The doctoral work will involve:
• An assessment of the design of a compact biodigester suitable for varied organic waste streams.
• Optimisation of anaerobic digestion conditions (loading rates, hydraulic retention time, pre-treatment, temperature, feedstocks and mixing) to maximise biogas yield and quality.
• Integration of biogas-powered refrigeration for food storage, heating or other small-scale use.
• Evaluation of digestate quality and its suitability as a soil amendment or nutrient source for small-scale agricultural production (e.g., hydroponics, market gardening, or seedling production).
• Development of a systems-level assessment of energy balances, greenhouse gas reduction potential, and techno-economic feasibility.
• Field-based deployment, monitoring, and performance evaluation at the Water Hub, recommendations for scale-up and transferability.
Scholarship Details
• Funding: Covers full tuition and annual stipend as well as travel funds to visit international collaborator.
• Research costs: Includes operational costs, laboratory analysis, sensors and monitoring equipment, local travel and conference travel.
• Registration: The successful candidate will enrol as a full-time PhD student at the University of Cape Town, with the research based at the Water Hub.
Candidate Requirements
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong academic record with demonstrated capacity for independent research.
• A South African citizen.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
Essential Skills
• Knowledge of biochemical or thermochemical process design.
• Experience with analytical tools (e.g., R Statistics).
• Familiarity with anaerobic digestion principles, mass and energy balances.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical writing skills.
Advantageous Experience
• Hands-on laboratory or pilot-scale work in digestion, fermentation, or wastewater treatment.
• Experience with biogas purification, gas measurement systems, or small-scale energy applications.
• Interest in agritech, circular resource systems, and enterprise development.
Please submit the following as a single PDF document:
1. Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages)
2. Cover letter outlining motivation and relevant experience
3. Academic transcripts for all degrees
4. Contact details for two referees
5. A sample of prior research writing or published article.
How to Apply
Submit applications via the google form. If you experience any issues kindly send your application to Danielle Cloete (danielle.cloete@uct.ac.za) by 31 January 2026 with the subject line: “PhD Application – Biodigester Systems for Agribusiness”
Equity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering and environmental sciences.
