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PhD Studentship, Waste Plastics Derived Bitumen w-Bitumen

Employer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Closing date
30 Apr 2019

Job Details

Engineering and Applied Science - Studentships

Basis:  Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Tuesday 30 April 2019

Applications are invited for a three year PhD studentship, supported by the School of Engineering and Applied Science, to be undertaken within the Aston Institute of Materials Research (AIMR) at Aston University. The successful applicant will join an established research group working on Transport Infrastructures and Construction Materials led by Dr Yuqing Zhang. The studentship is offered in collaboration with a leading construction materials company, Aggregate Industries UK, Ltd.

The position is available to start in January or April 2019 (subject to negotiation).

Financial Support

This studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the home/EU fees of £4,260 in 2018/19 plus a maintenance allowance of £14,777 in 2018/19. 

Applicants from outside the EU may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home/EU’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees, currently this is £12,290 in 2018/19.

As part of the application you will be required to confirm that you have applied for, or, secured this additional funding.

Background to the Project

Petroleum-derived bitumen is being used as a binder in asphalt for constructing 95% of the UK’s transport infrastructures such as roads, highways, airport runways and car parks. The growing bitumen price and environmental pressures have increased the demand for alternative and renewable bitumen. In the meanwhile, the UK produces a huge amount of recyclable waste plastics every year, while only one-third is effectively recycled. By converting waste into high-value fuels and renewable construction materials, this project will promote the waste material recycling and also preserve the natural petroleum resources. This study will make use of pyrolysis and upgrading technologies to process mixed waste plastics to produce a waste-derived bitumen (w-bitumen) with durable and reliable road engineering performance in addition to pyrolysis fuels. Experimental study on w-bitumen and the resulting asphalt will be included as a critical stage to evaluate the material’s engineering performance.

Person Specification

The successful applicant should have a first class or upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification in the areas of Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Material Engineering. Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of Bituminous Materials, Pavement Engineering, Bioenergy Engineering, Waste Processing or Construction Material Experimentation. 

We would particularly like to encourage applications from women seeking to progress their academic careers. Aston University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, recognised recently by a prestigious Silver Award to EAS, and we pride ourselves on our vibrant, friendly and supportive working environment and family atmosphere.

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project contact Dr Yuqing Zhang by email at y.zhang10@aston.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Details of how to submit your application, and the necessary supporting documents can be found here

Applications must also be accompanied by a research proposal giving an overview of the main themes of the research as detailed in the Background to the Project section above.  This should demonstrate your understanding of the research area and how your knowledge and experience will benefit the project.

If you require further information about the application process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at seasres@aston.ac.uk.

Further particulars and application forms are available in alternative formats on request i.e. large print, Braille, tape or CD Rom.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact HR via recruitment@aston.ac.uk

Company

Our Mission

To be the UK’s leading university for business and the professions, where original research, enterprise and inspiring teaching deliver global impact.

Our Vision

In 2020 Aston will have an international reputation as the source of the people and the ideas that will shape the businesses and the communities of tomorrow.

We will be:

  • Ranked within the top 1% of universities in the world
  • Exceptional in terms of our worldwide reputation for graduate employability – as a result of innovative teaching and placement opportunities
  • Recognised for excellence in research that delivers real solutions for local and global challenges, develops research leaders and provides the foundations for new businesses
  • Focused on the needs of business and the professions, with courses and research that build on our strengths
  • Transforming lives: developing sought-after, entrepreneurial graduates – from a wide range of backgrounds – with global citizenship skills
  • Delivering our research and teaching in collaboration with international partners and innovative businesses
  • A university with sustainability at the core of all we do, meeting world-class standards for environmental performance
  • A welcoming community that is a great place to work and study.

Our Mission and Vision focus on two ‘core aims’:
1. Developing internationally sought after Aston
Graduates
2. Delivering excellent and transformational Aston
Research

2020 Strategy

With its focus on the application of knowledge for economic and social benefit, Aston University has a distinct mission that sets it apart.

Going forward to 2020, Aston must maintain its responsiveness to the needs of a changing world whilst remaining true to a distinctive, original purpose. Our strategy sets out aims and goals to ensure we are even more distinctive within a crowded and increasingly competitive environment.
 
Divided into eight categories, the strategy states Aston’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, widening participation, producing research with real-world impact, building strong links with business, industry and the public sector, and equipping our graduates with the skills they need to thrive.

Company info
Telephone
+(44)01212043000
Location
ASTON TRIANGLE
BIRMINGHAM
WEST MIDLANDS
B4 7ET
United Kingdom

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