HW-3-1 Sorbent-contactor design for direct air capture

Heriot-Watt University offers a PhD project on HW-3-1 Sorbent-contactor design for direct air capture, focusing on CO2 capture technologies to support UK industry in achieving net zero. Candidates should have relevant qualifications in engineering or sciences. The programme lasts four years, starting in September 2026, and includes funding for fees and a stipend. The role is based in the UK and involves collaboration with leading universities.
This PhD is one of a number of projects hosted by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures (CDT-GIF). We are offering pioneering research projects that will enable PhD researchers to explore key technologies and solutions that will support UK industry to reach net zero.

Project Description

Capturing CO2 from air may prove an indispensable technology for combating climate change, but current costs (partially driven by high energy use) present a significant hurdle to commercial deployment. Most investigations focus on using chemical adsorbents for direct air capture, while the USORB-DAC project (https://usorbdac.hw.ac.uk/) has shown that some physical adsorbents may also show potential, subject to contactor and process design. A key open question is how different chemical and physical sorbents perform in different air contacting geometries. This project will expand on previous solid sorbent direct air capture work at Heriot Watt by investigating chemical and physical adsorbents in different contactor types, e.g., monoliths, films, or fibres via simplified and/or detailed mathematical modelling. This will pave the way for future process design, testing, and scale up.

Supervisors
• cdtgreenindustrialfutures@hw.ac.uk
• Mijndert van der Spek
• Susana Garcia

Application Criteria

As a minimum we require candidates to have a First-class or 2:1 MEng or and MSc with merit (over 60%) in a relevant area i.e. Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geoscience etc. Candidates for socio-politico-economic research topics will also be considered with a relevant MA. Applicants who have a First-class BSc/BEng (Hons) and can demonstrate significant relevant industry/research experience may also be considered.

Candidates should be aware of and meet the entry requirements for the university hosting the PhD studentship.

Funding Notes

The programme is four years and starts in September 2026. Funding includes full UK fees, tax-free stipend (2025/2026 stipend is £20,780), plus budget for travel and consumables.

Enquiries

cdtgreenindustrialfutures@hw.ac.uk

Application Web Page

https://greenindustrialfutures.site.hw.ac.uk/

CDT in Green Industrial Futures

The CDT is funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and is a partnership between Heriot Watt University, Imperial College London, and the Universities of Sheffield and Bath. The CDT is further supported by contributions from industrial partners. Bringing these leading universities together allows CDT-GIF students access to a wide range of academic expertise, resources and facilities.

The CDT-GIF has an exciting and challenging programme specifically designed for top performing junior researchers. Alongside the four-year research project, students will receive expert training and opportunities to contextualise their research within the wider net zero landscape, including:
• Residential taught courses at each of the partner universities in Years 1 and 2 that provide training in the systematic considerations for industry including: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), technoeconomics, business models, policy & regulation, public engagement, plant operation.
• An international opportunity in Year 2 or 3 of the programme, including opportunities to visit a world-leading facility, conference or forum and explore the global context of industrial decarbonisation.
• A work placement with one of our industrial partners.
• A bespoke ‘net-zero leadership programme’, including regular exchanges with cohort members from the other universities, student-led activities, industry challenge sandpit, industrial site visits, and professional development opportunities.