PhD Studentship: Bioaugmentation in Water/Wastewater Treatment to Enhance the Removal of Micropollutants

Supervisory Workforce: Yongqiang Liu 

Mission Description:

Rising micropollutants, encompassing a spectrum from pharmaceutical residues and private care merchandise to industrial chemical substances, have been present in water sources worldwide. Their well being results and environmental influence are evident. As these pollution persist and accumulate, addressing the multifaceted challenges they current has turn out to be crucial to safeguard each human well-being and the integrity of our pure setting. 

Presently, no water or wastewater remedy crops are designed to focus on micropollutants, ensuing within the presence of persistent micropollutants in water our bodies.  For instance, the identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk and blood is a matter of appreciable concern because of its profound implications for public well being. Due to this fact, eradicating micropollutants from water is crucial together with the anticipated extra stringent rules on micropollutants. Bioaugmentation, using microorganisms to take away micropollutants, emerges as a promising and environmentally sustainable method. Microorganisms possess inherent capabilities to degrade a wide selection of pollution, making them efficient brokers in water/wastewater remedy. In bioaugmentation, particular strains of microorganisms are deliberately launched into microbial communities to boost their capability to interrupt down recalcitrant compounds. 

On this mission, you’ll examine the important thing microorganisms enabling the breakdown of poisonous and recalcitrant natural compounds and develop an efficient bioaugmentation method to control the microbial group to boost the organic removing of micropollutants. When crucial, it’s also anticipated that bodily or chemical remedy might be built-in to additional enhance the removing effectivity of micropollutants. Within the mission, you can be educated to arrange and function bioreactors for wastewater remedy, do evaluation of each sludge and water by utilizing numerous analytical devices, and conduct bioinformatic evaluation.  

Candidates with excessive motivation and levels in environmental engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, microbiology, or different related backgrounds are most popular. You’ll be a part of the BBSRC-funded mission and intently work with a postdoc. 

Software Deadline: 

Worldwide college students with related publications or excellent tutorial achievement are inspired to be thought of for the celebrated presidential scholarship scheme, protecting full worldwide charges. We strongly encourage functions from EU and UK college students, given funding restrictions. When you want to focus on any particulars of the mission informally, please contact Dr. Yongqiang Liu, Water and Environmental Engineering Analysis Group, Electronic mail: [email protected]  Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2843. 

Entry Necessities

An excellent undergraduate and or grasp diploma (a UK 1st class diploma, or its worldwide equal). 

Closing Date : 31 August 2024. Purposes will likely be thought of within the order that they’re acquired, the place will likely be thought of crammed when an appropriate candidate has been recognized. 

Funding: We provide a spread of funding alternatives for each UK and worldwide college students, together with Bursaries and Scholarships. For extra data please go to PhD Scholarships Doctoral Faculty College of Southampton   Funding will likely be awarded on a rolling foundation, so apply early for one of the best alternative to be thought of. 

How To Apply

Apply on-line: HERE Choose programme kind (Analysis), 2024/25, College of Engineering and Bodily Sciences, subsequent web page choose “PhD Engineering & Surroundings (Full time)”. In Part 2 of the appliance type it’s best to insert the identify of the supervisor Yongqiang Liu. 

Purposes ought to embody:

Analysis Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Diploma Transcripts/Certificates up to now 

For additional data please contact: [email protected]