UOB
Tailoring Carbohydrate-Derived Polymers for High-Performance, Microplastic-Free Agricultural Coatings
✓ Fully Funded
⏰ Closing Soon
🎓 Agricultural Sciences
🎓 Biotechnology
🎓 Manufacturing Engineering
🎓 Polymer Chemistry
🎓 Polymers
🎓 Synthetic Chemistry
polymer chemistry
sustainable materials
funded PhD
: microplastic-free coatings
agricultural coatings
biodegradable polymers
biomaterials
seed coatings
Fully funded PhD at the University of Bath developing biodegradable, microplastic-free polymer coatings for agricultural seeds using carbohydrate-derived materials.
Project Description
This PhD project focuses on developing high-performance, biodegradable polymer binders for agricultural seed coatings as alternatives to petrochemical-based, non-biodegradable materials. The work is part of the EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Chemical Technologies and is carried out in collaboration with Croda and Incotec.
The research will involve:
designing and synthesising carbohydrate-derived polymer systems
tailoring materials from renewable feedstocks such as seaweed-derived polysaccharides
testing mechanical and physicochemical properties
evaluating performance on seeds including wheat, corn, cotton, and soybean
studying hydration, germination, and early plant development
carrying out life cycle assessment to measure environmental impact
The successful applicant will work across the University of Bath, Croda’s Sustainable Polymer R&D team in Yorkshire, and Incotec’s Seed Enhancement laboratories in the Netherlands. The programme begins with a one-year MRes followed by PhD research.
Entry Requirements
First Class or good Upper Second-Class Honours degree or equivalent
Master’s qualification is advantageous
Non-UK applicants must meet the English language requirement
Preferred background:
polymer chemistry
materials science
chemical engineering
biomaterials
Master’s qualification is advantageous
Non-UK applicants must meet the English language requirement
Preferred background:
polymer chemistry
materials science
chemical engineering
biomaterials
How to Apply
Apply through the University of Bath online application for the Integrated PhD in Sustainable Chemical Technologies
Informal enquiries:
Dr Hannah Leese: h.s.leese@bath.ac.uk
Dr Maciek Kopeć: mk2297@bath.ac.uk
Informal enquiries:
Dr Hannah Leese: h.s.leese@bath.ac.uk
Dr Maciek Kopeć: mk2297@bath.ac.uk
Eligibility
UK/Home
EU
International
Supervisor Profile
DH
Dr Hannah Leese, Dr Maciek Kopeć, Prof Chris Chuck
University of Bath, Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
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