About the position
Studentship: UKRI Net2Zero CDT PhD Studentship - Dynamic performance and AI driven optimisation of hybrid energy systems for net zero
The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick.
Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.
Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment.
The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO2 from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals.
Training and Development
Through our research training programme, you will be able to:
Develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking.
You will have the opportunity of a three-month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.
Project Overview and Background
This PhD project aims to develop and evaluate a novel hybrid system that integrates gas turbines, low-temperature carbon capture, biomass gasification, and advanced solar thermal applications to enable carbon-negative fuel production and grid support.
The research will involve thermodynamic modelling, transient simulation under UK climate and grid demand profiles, economic assessment, life‑cycle analysis, and AI‑driven multi‑objective optimisation.
Although the initial focus will be on gas turbines, the hybridisation framework developed in the project will be designed to be transferable to other industrial and power‑generation applications, including industrial furnaces (e.g. steel, cement) and waste‑to‑energy plants.
A solid foundation in thermodynamics, process modelling, programming or energy systems
Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as the successful candidate will collaborate closely with other researchers, contribute to high‑quality journal publications, and present findings at international conferences.
We welcome applicants who are enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research and eager to develop advanced technical and analytical capabilities.
Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
A generous research training support grant.
All applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form here (you only need to submit one Expression of Interest regardless of the number of projects you are interested in).
Your research background and experience.
What you’ll bring
- Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve: A Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline with an award of First Class or 2.1
- Experience in, or willingness to learn modelling and simulation tools such as: MATLAB
- You can find the rules for home fee eligibility here.
- We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any bachelor's degrees.
- If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements.
- Motivation, creativity, and resourcefulness
At a glance
- Position type
- PhD
- Institution
- University of Nottingham
- Department
- Not stated
- Research group
- Not stated
- Location
- United Kingdom, GB
- Supervisor / contact person
- Dr Ioanna Dimitriou, Dr Oliver Fisher, Prof. Hao Liu, Prof. Eleanor Binner
- Funding
- Funding not stated
Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
Paid tuition fees - Duration
- Not stated
- Expected start
- Not stated
- Vacancy reference
- Not stated
Research focus
- Discipline
- Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- Research area
- Not stated
- Methods
- Synthesis
- Software
- Python, MATLAB
Dates to know
- Listed on FOSS Positions
- 23 Sep 2026
- Original advertisement date
- Not stated in the source
- Application deadline
- 30 Sep 2026 Timezone not stated. Check the original advert.
- Priority review date
- Not stated
- Last checked
- 23 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2026
Closing Date Wednesday 30 September 2026
How to apply
How to Apply
All applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form here (you only need to submit one Expression of Interest regardless of the number of projects you are interested in). Successful applicants will be invited to submit a formal application via the NottinghamHub.
Your personal details for processing the application.
If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage. the evidence at a later stage.
For general application or process enquiries, please contact:
https://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/EmailFriend.aspx
Contact: Ashif.chy2@nottingham.ac.ukIoanna.Dimitriou@nottingham.ac.ukliu.hao@nottingham.ac.ukeleanor.binner@nottingham.ac.uk
Original sources
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