PhD Studentships - Enhancing the physical footprint and energy conversion efficiency of the adsorption systems for hybrid water desalination and cooling

Engineering and Applied Science - Studentships

Location:  Aston University Main Campus
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (for 3 years)
Basis:  Full Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours BST on Monday 08 April 2019
Interview Date:  To be confirmed    

Applications are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the School of Engineering and Applied Science, to be undertaken within the Sustainable Environment Research Group Research Group at Aston University.  The successful applicant will join an established group working on solar energy and water treatment.

The position is available to start in July 2019 (subject to negotiation)

Financial Support

This studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the home/EU fees rate 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 per annum 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 of the Project

We are looking for an ambitious student with a keen interest in heat and mass transfer intensification to undertake work on enhancing the physical footprint and the energy utilisation efficiency of the adsorption systems for hybrid water desalination and cooling. The project will focus on the innovative approaches of utilising conventional adsorbent materials and implementing state-of-the art materials to intensify the heat and mass transfer of the adsorbent bed (the heart of the system). Multiphysics numerical modelling will be intensively used as well as the supporting experimental work. Other ambitious ideas within the topic are highly welcomed.

There is a high potential that the successful candidate will visit other international institutions such as Kyushu University japan.

Person Specification

The successful applicant should have a first class or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering.  Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of multiphysics numerical modelling, 1D modelling, DOE and the basics of measurements and experimental analysis.

For informal enquiries about this project and other opportunities within the Sustainable Environment Research Group Research Group, contact Dr Ahmed Rezk, Tel: 0044 (0)121 204 3601, or email: a.rezk@aston.ac.uk 

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

Applications must also be accompanied by a research proposal giving an overview of the main themes of the research, and explaining how your knowledge and experience will benefit the project.

Details of how to write your project proposal are also included in the How to Apply section here.

(Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a suitable candidate be found).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact HR via recruitment@aston.ac.ukFurther particulars and application forms are available in alternative formats on request i.e. large print, Braille, tape or CD Rom.