UNI

Bio-electrochemical Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery

University of South Wales Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

✓ Fully Funded ⏰ Closing Soon 🎓 Biochemistry 🎓 Bioengineering 🎓 Environmental Sciences nutrient removal wastewater treatment microbial fuel cells resource recovery electrochemical analysis organic pollution pharmaceutical contaminants

Explore the performance of an innovative microbial fuel cell reactor to treat wastewater while producing electricity. Investigate removal efficiencies for pollutants and gain expertise in advanced chemical and electrochemical analysis techniques.

AI-generated overview

wastewater bioelectrochemical metals environmental analysis anaerobic processes

Project Description

Project Overview

The protection of water resources through effective and energy-efficient wastewater treatment is essential to meet global development challenges. This project investigates a novel microbial fuel cell-based wastewater treatment reactor that simultaneously treats wastewater and generates electricity.

What You Will Do

You will work as part of a team funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering to research the reactor's performance. This involves determining its efficacy in removing organic pollution, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Training will be provided in advanced analytical techniques for electrochemical and wastewater analysis.

Expected Outcomes

Outcomes include a thorough evaluation of the reactor's treatment efficiency, understanding of its potential to recover resources, and insights into the integration of energy generation with wastewater treatment processes.

Why This Matters

This research addresses global water resource protection by developing energy-efficient wastewater treatment technologies. By generating electricity during treatment, it supports sustainable and circular approaches to resource management, critical in environmental engineering and public health.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold a MSc or first/upper-second UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Bioscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical/Process Engineering, Environmental Science or related disciplines. Knowledge of chemical techniques like chemical oxygen demand measurement, UV spectrometry, and/or HPLC is desirable. Candidates must be highly self-motivated, have collaborative interpersonal skills, and UK residency is required.

How to Apply

Visit the Graduate School webpages for guidance and supporting documents. Indicate in your personal statement that you are applying for this studentship. Contact Llinos Spargo at llinos.spargo@southwales.ac.uk for application advice. For research discussions contact Professor Richard Dinsdale at Richard.dinsdale@southwales.ac.uk or +44 (0) 7780 074870.

Eligibility

UK/Home

International

Supervisor Profile

Professor Richard Dinsdale

University of South Wales, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

16364 Citations

59 h-index

Google Scholar

Professor Richard Dinsdale is an expert in environmental biotechnology focusing on bioelectrochemical systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. His research integrates microbiology and chemical engineering to develop sustainable, energy-efficient water treatment technologies. He has an extensive publication record and collaborations worldwide, positioning him as a leading researcher in the field.

Key Publications

2009 2144 citations

The removal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs during wastewater treatment and its impact on the quality of receiving waters

Identified and evaluated the removal efficiency of various contaminants in wastewater treatment and their impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

2008 1479 citations

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs in surface water in South Wales, UK

Documented the presence of contaminants in surface waters, highlighting environmental exposure risks.

2002 1323 citations

Sustainable fermentative hydrogen production: challenges for process optimisation

Outlined challenges and strategies to optimize biological hydrogen production for sustainable energy.

2007 876 citations

Continuous dark fermentative hydrogen production by mesophilic microflora: principles and progress

Advanced understanding of continuous biological hydrogen production processes using mesophilic microbes.

2000 791 citations

Enhancement of hydrogen production from glucose by nitrogen gas sparging

Demonstrated improved hydrogen yields from glucose fermentation using nitrogen sparging techniques.

Research Contributions

Identified removal efficiencies and environmental impacts of pharmaceutical and personal care product contaminants during wastewater treatment.

Improved understanding aids in better wastewater management and protects aquatic ecosystems.

Advanced fermentative hydrogen production processes through optimization and continuous operation studies.

Contributes to sustainable biohydrogen production technology development for renewable energy.

Developed multi-residue analytical methods for detecting pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in water samples.

Enables accurate environmental monitoring and forensic investigations of pollutant sources.

Explored microbial fuel cells and bioelectrochemical systems for energy recovery from wastewater.

Supports innovative approaches to wastewater treatment with energy production benefits.

Related Opportunities

PhD Research on Neuromodulation and Human Motor Control Using Spinal Cord Stimulation and HD-EMG

Lehigh University Dr. Shirin Madarshahian 🎓 Bioengineering 🎓 Neuroscience

Explore neuromodulation and spinal cord stimulation techniques to advance human motor control understanding. Develop innovative therapies using high-density EMG and movement analysis at Lehigh University with an interdi…

This research tackles critical challenges in neurological rehabilitation by developing new stimulation and diagnostic technologies that cou…

Data-Driven Neuromodulation and Rehabilitation Non-invasive electrical stimulation Biometric development for tracking neurophysiological change Motor Control and Neurophysiology

Self-funded

Added 3 weeks, 4 days ago View & Apply

WAG

Thermal Imaging & Crop Canopy Transpiration Monitoring

Wageningen University and Research Prof. Leo Marcelis 🎓 Agriculture 🎓 Environmental Sciences Deadline: 27 May 2026

Explore how plants regulate water use by analyzing crop canopy transpiration with thermal imaging and advanced microclimate sensing. Develop models and control strategies to optimize crop performance in greenhouses and …

This research advances sustainable horticulture by improving water use efficiency and climate control in greenhouses and vertical farms. It…

5000+ citations · h35

crop physiology Lighting Greenhouses Vertical farms

✓ Fully Funded ⏰ Closing Soon

Added 3 weeks, 5 days ago View & Apply

UOY

PhD in Biology - Developing novel insecticidal proteins for crop protection

University of York Dr Federico Sabbadin 🎓 Agricultural Sciences 🎓 Biochemistry Deadline: 14 Jun 2026

Explore novel insecticidal proteins to develop sustainable crop protection methods. Use molecular biology and toxicity testing techniques while collaborating with industry leaders. Contribute to reducing chemical pestic…

The research aims to deliver sustainable crop protection by developing bio-based insecticidal proteins. This reduces the environmental and …

Enzymology biochemistry

Self-funded ⏰ Closing Soon

Added 3 weeks, 5 days ago View & Apply

ICL

Rewiring Cancer Targets Through Proteome-Wide Discovery of Molecular Glues

Imperial College London Professor Ed Tate 🎓 Biochemistry 🎓 Molecular Biology Deadline: 21 May 2026

Explore how molecular glues can rewire protein interactions to target cancer. Develop proteomic and data-driven methods to discover new drug modalities across the entire proteome.

This research could transform cancer treatment by enabling drugs to target previously inaccessible proteins through induced proximity mecha…

14299+ citations · h62

Chemical Biology