PhD Studentships – Process Industries: Net Zero Greener solvents for more sustainable processes

The company Reckitt is responsible for a portfolio of loved and trusted hygiene, health and nutrition brands. Our Sustainability Ambitions are an integral part of our strategy and Purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. As a user of solvents, Reckitt is keen to sponsor a project exploring “green solvents” across several of their processes and technologies. The sustainability credentials of solvents can include full lifecycle analysis, or single criteria – such as toxicity, ability to be biobased, energy of formation, ease of recycling, ease of biodegradation etc. Different criteria may have different priority for different processes, and as such this project will facilitate exploration of different chemistries, screening techniques, reaction optimisation, and sustainability analysis, all with a view to real world application.

All project partners recognise the importance of equal participation, progression and success for all. We strive to provide a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all our staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish and to excel – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

The Department of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award and is committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. The Department strives to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/ed/ . In particular, we recognise the importance of the equal participation of women at all levels in a subject that has traditionally been, and remains, male-dominated.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented across the partnership.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 16th September 2024

Award duration: 4 years

Application closing date: 31st May 2024

Sponsor: EPSRC

Name of supervisor/s: Supervisors from the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York and Process Intensification Group (PIG) at Newcastle University.

Contact Prof. Sneddon in the first instance helen.sneddon@york.ac.uk

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemistry or chemical engineering, but please get in touch if you think your qualification may be relevant). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

Although we sometimes have a limited number of fully funded international awards available, at this time we can only accept applications from students who qualify for UK home fees.

How to apply

• submit an online PhD in Chemistry application: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DRPCHESCHE3

You will then need to provide the following information:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• ‘Research Proposal’ – include the title of the project you are applying for
• A CV
• A transcript of your marks
• The details of two academic referees

Contact Details

General enquiries: chemgrad@york.ac.uk or pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk