This exciting research project is focused on transitioning from a fossil based economy to a more sustainable, renewable and circular economy is urgently needed to meet the net zero target. This project aims to develop novel biorefinery system design for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals using a whole system approach. This will involve process integration and intensification techniques, machine learning technique and rigorous sustainability assessment in designing sustainable biorefinery systems in view of achieving maximum resource efficiency and minimum environmental impact.
Please contact Dr Kok Siew Ng at KokSiew.Ng@brunel.ac.uk for an informal discussion about the studentships.
Eligibility
Applicants will have or be expected to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree in an Engineering, Computer Science, Design, Mathematics, Physics or a similar discipline. A Postgraduate Masters degree is not required but may be an advantage.
Skills and Experience
Applicants will be required to demonstrate the following skills;
- Computational modelling: This project requires simulation modelling and optimisation techniques using Aspen Plus, Matlab and GAMS. It also involves machine learning and software development using Python.
- Sustainability assessment: This project involves rigorous techno-economic analysis and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA software such as SimaPro is required.
You should be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team, collaborate with others and have good communication skills.
How to apply
There are two stages of the application:
1.Applicants must submit the pre-application form via the following link https://brunel.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/epsrc-dtp-23-24-pre-application-form-brunel-university-lon-3 by 16.00 on Friday 26th May 2023.
2.If you are shortlisted for the interview, you will be asked to email the following documentation in a single PDF file to cedps-studentships@brunel.ac.uk within 24hrs.
- Your up-to-date CV;
- Your Undergraduate degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) essential;
- Your Postgraduate Masters degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) if applicable;
- Your valid English Language qualification of IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) or equivalent, if applicable;
- Contact details for TWO referees, one of which can be an academic member of staff in the College.
Applicants should therefore ensure that they have all of this information in case they are shortlisted.
Interviews will take place in June 2023.