PhD Study : Sustainable means for the removal of emerging pathogens in the tertiary treatment of wastewaters in western and emerging economies

Summary

21 September 2016 represented a watershed for humanity when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared that ‘Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the biggest threats to global health and endangers other major priorities, such as human development’ (Tell et al, 2019). Thus, engineers and scientists need to develop low-cost sustainable routes for the removal of antibiotics and human pathogens from wastewaters, which can be implemented in developed and developing countries alike. In many respects another critical issue is that wastewater treatment standards and methodologies have not kept pace with modern societal demands. This, combined with an aging population, has resulted in an increasing volume of pharmaceuticals, antibiotics or their intermediates being discharged into the natural environment, thus leading to bacterial mutation and AMR. Another often overlooked factor is that present tertiary treatment methods were never intended to deal with this type of contaminants, and the problem is compounded by aging treatment infrastructure, which is now stretched beyond the original design capacity.

The conventional methods of wastewater treatment such as biological degradation and membrane filtration is only partially effective with regards to the removal of these emerging contaminants. The application of tertiary treatments such as chlorination and ozonation may result in good disinfection efficiencies but generate toxic disinfection by-products and the formation of unknown, sometimes more harmful antimicrobial entities, thus contributing to the AMR proliferation. Adsorption is a versatile wastewater treatment alternative to the above mentioned conventional technologies. This method offers higher efficiency for contaminant removal with simplicity of application and operation. Moreover, it can deal with the very low concentrations of antibiotics present in wastewaters. Activated carbon, the most frequently used tertiary treatment adsorbent, is an expensive material.

Thus, research focusing on the efficient and cheaper options that could replace activated carbon is becoming increasingly important. Tretsiakova-McNally et al (2019) already demonstrated that a ligno-cellulosic substrate derived from sawdust can serve as an effective solution for treatment of wastewaters containing excessive levels of antibiotics. This work could be combined with the work of Moreira et al (2018) to address the broad range of pathogens that commonly occur in wastewater discharges.

The aim of this project is to apply the adsorbent(s) produced from ligno-cellulosic fibres within wastewater treatment works to remove antibiotics and antimicrobial resistant bacteria and other microbial indicators of pathogens commonly present in wastewaters. This research will investigate, the feasibility of converting the wood processing waste containing ligno-cellulose fibres into a novel value-added product for wastewater treatment systems capable of dealing with antimicrobial pollutants. The proposed work intends to develop a bench-scale methodology, which can be easily translated into a simple working prototype.

The successful candidate is expected to have an undergraduate or master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering or a related discipline.  Minimum degree level, high 2.1 (Hons) preferably 1st Class (Hons).

He/she will have the opportunity to collaborate with national and international groups through research projects in which the supervisors are involved. The PhD researcher will avail of laboratories/experimental facilities within the Faculty and at the FireSERT and NIBEC research centres.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living