A circular economy approach to nutrient and energy recovery from domestic and agri-food wastes

Global waste and wastewater generation from domestic and agri-food sectors is increasing rapidly, placing significant pressure on water resources, ecosystems, and existing waste management infrastructure. Recovering energy and nutrients from organic wastes and wastewaters offers a pathway to simultaneously address environmental pollution, fertiliser dependency, and renewable energy generation. However, the design and implementation of such systems require robust, scalable modelling approaches and high-quality datasets that can support scenario analysis across different socio-economic and infrastructural contexts. The PhD project addresses this gap by developing a material-flow-based modelling approach, underpinned by AI-ready data structures, and applying it to carefully selected international case studies relevant to emerging economies and transferable to UK contexts.

This PhD project will develop and apply a waste-to-resource modelling framework that integrates material and energy recovery from domestic and agri-food waste and wastewater streams, with a particular focus on nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) recovery and renewable bio-energy production. The research adopts a circular economy and waste-to-wealth perspective, supported by AI-ready datasets, to inform sustainable waste management and fertiliser production pathways relevant to both the UK and fast-growing economies.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD programme.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong academic background in Environmental Science/Engineering, Applied Sciences, or a closely related discipline.

Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in research and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment. Previous research experience or relevant industry experience in related fields is desirable. We particularly welcome applicants who have experience in, or strong motivation to engage in, internationally collaborative research and scientific dissemination, such as publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, or contributing to collaborative research projects. Strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and enthusiasm for contributing to impactful research are highly valued.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.