PhD in Environmental Engineering

This exciting fully funded PhD, with an enhanced stipend of £25,726 pa, is sponsored by Anglian Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water and EPSRC. The research will address the challenge of forever chemicals in drinking water. The aim of this research is to develop a smart data predictive model that will support utilities’ evidence-based decision-making to improve the resilience and cost-effectiveness of forever chemicals removal from water. The model will use experimental data gathered during the project through testing. The successful candidate will work closely with the project sponsors to deliver the outputs and will have access to a bespoke training programme./n/nPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “Forever Chemicals”, are micropollutants of increasing concern in the UK and worldwide. Recent regulatory guidelines require water utilities in England and Wales to ensure PFAS are effectively removed from drinking water. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is one of the key processes featuring PFAS strategy plans. This project will deliver a model that integrates water quality to predict PFAS behaviour in GAC filters and give water companies a practical tool to forecast GAC bed life under different water qualities, reduce monitoring burden, and enable proactive, cost-effective compliance with future PFAS standards./n/nThis project is an exciting collaboration between the Cranfield Water Science Institute, Anglian Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water and EPSRC. The project is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe).