Development of a Novel Membrane Bioreactor for Cost-effective Wastewater Treatment and Microalgae Harvesting
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting PhD project on “Development of a Novel Membrane Bioreactor for Cost-effective Wastewater Treatment and Microalgae Harvesting”.
Microalgae have attracted significant global attention in recent years due to their ability capture CO2, remove contaminants from wastewater and their potential as a source of raw material for biofuel production. However algal biomass harvesting (removing them from the water they grow in) is a key bottleneck in their use. This project aims to develop a novel membrane bioreactor for CO2 capture, treating sewage, cultivating and harvesting microalgae simultaneously (algae-MBR). The main responsibility of the successful candidate will be to
- design and run the algae-MBR as well as analysing the subsequent data;
- systematically investigate the overall performance of the algae-MBR;
- process enhancement by controlling membrane fouling.
Water & Environment Research Group at the University of Glasgow provides a unique opportunity to be part of international leading research at the interface of biological and environmental engineering. The student will also receive training and skills in bioreactor design/operation, advanced characterization techniques and analytical methods for environmental analysis.
Applicants should have a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Molecular microbiology, or related discipline. The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated, be goal oriented and have good writing and communication skills. An enthusiasm for innovation and speculative thinking is particularly encouraged. A master degree in a relevant subject would be advantageous but is not essential.
Applications will be assessed as received and all applicants should follow the standard College postgraduate admission process.
Should you need further information on this project, potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Xue Jin.
Funding notes
The PhD studentship is 3.5 years. Funding is available for UK and EU applicants. It will cover the cost of home tuition fees and currently offers a stipend of £13590 per annum.