Advancing Sustainable Concrete Production through Industrial Solid Waste Utilisation and Carbon Sequestration

About the project

About the Project This project will focus on the utilisation of industrial solid wastes in concrete formulations by implementing advanced carbonation techniques and further developing methods to enhance reaction mechanisms. The primary goal is to stimulate the reactivity of industrial waste materials, increasing their contribution to strength development. The project involves a comprehensive assessment of various industrial solid wastes to determine their suitability for carbonation. By subjecting these waste materials to novel carbonation processes and concurrently exploring their resulting properties, we aim to significantly improve their performance in concrete mixtures. This approach will not only address waste management challenges but also maximise the environmental sustainability of concrete production. The successful completion of this project will make a notable contribution to the decarbonisation of the construction industry and the broader field of sustainability. The outcomes emerging from this work will align seamlessly with sustainability goals and provide an exceptional platform for a motivated candidate to advance the frontiers of knowledge in waste management, CO2 sequestration, and innovative concrete formulation. Interested candidates must have a good understanding of alternative cement binder systems, concrete sample preparation and testing, and analyses involving reaction mechanisms, mechanical performance and microstructural development. The successful candidate will join the Manchester CREATES (Concrete Materials, Resource Efficiency and Advanced TEchnology for Sustainability) team. For more details on research team activities, please visit http://www.manchestercreates.com Eligibility Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Funding This 3.5-year PhD is for self-funded students. Exceptional candidates will be considered for Faculty funding (this will include an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year). At The University of Manchester, we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers. For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for. The start date is October 2026. We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled. Before you apply We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project. How to apply Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425 When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents: • Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications • Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress • CV • Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it). • Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference) • English Language certificate (if applicable) If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk . Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).

Research areas