[School of Natural Sciences PhD Scholarships] Dynamic mechanophores for damage detection during plastic recycling

About the project

About the Project Polymers are essential to nearly every aspect of our lives from the clothes we wear, to the cars we drive, to the plastic containers that keep our favourite foods fresh. However, the unfettered extraction of fossil fuels and the pollution from uncaptured plastic waste leads to a pressing need create value from our plastic waste. Mechanical recycling is one of the most sustainable solutions for end-of-life processing of plastics due to its low carbon footprint. However, the mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of mechanical recyclate do not match those of virgin material, leading to downcycling of the polymers to lower value products. The difference in quality of recyclate is in part due to degradation of the polymer structure induced by the large mechanical forces and high temperatures required during mechanical recycling. Understanding and controlling such degradation processes will be key to improving the quality of mechanically recycled products. This studentship seeks to design a novel class of mechanically responsive species known as mechanophores to produce species with a dynamic response to a range of mechanical forces and processing conditions. Creating a probe with an optical response will allow spatial tracking of the degradation of polymers in recyclate. This this knowledge will be used to improve the quality of the product created from the recycled feedstock. A project at the interface between polymer synthesis, polymer processing (extrusion and injection moulding), and analytical quality control, the studentship will first focus on chemical synthesis and following this use a suite of analytical tools to track these new additives to quantify the degradation of recycled materials and explore how this degradation is influenced by processing conditions, the project will develop novel chemical probes and provide fundamental insights into the degradation induced by mechanical recycling and improve plastic circularity. We thus seek and enthusiastic student keen to help improve the sustainability of our planet in an interdisciplinary team. The project builds on a collaboration between Prof. Mike Shaver (Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub) and Dr. Niamh Fox (expert in mechanochemistry) to disrupt the recycling industry. This project is expected to start in September 2027. Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. How to apply: To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships . If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here . When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications . Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status. We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder. Eligibility : The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree (or international equivalent) in chemistry, polymer science or a relevant science/engineering related discipline OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit (or international equivalent) in chemistry, polymer science or a relevant science/engineering related discipline. Experience in polymer or small molecule synthesis is desirable. This project will remain open until filled. If your application is submitted by 1 st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18 th December 2026. If your application is submitted by 15 th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30 th March 2027. Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project. FSESoNS

Research areas