PhD Study : Sustainable Technologies in Energy, Water and Agriculture for Rural Development (STEWARD)

Apply and key information  

Summary

This PhD will explore the water-energy-agriculture (WEA) nexus and its importance in the context of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Farming is essential for food security and economic development. Agriculture is vulnerable to climate change and is a major water consumer. Reduced rainfall frequency, variable surface water availability due to drought/flood extremes, and increased irrigation demands caused by rising global temperatures, makes groundwater an increasingly important resource. Drawing water from boreholes and distributing irrigation to crops requires energy. Unsustainable groundwater extraction at rates greater than natural recharge flows leads to aquifer depletion, saline contamination, and increased pumping energy demands associated with deepening boreholes. Rural communities across SSA lack electricity access due to remoteness from urban infrastructure and prohibitive grid expansion costs. Falling photovoltaics prices are increasingly enabling off-grid electricity infrastructure deployments which can stimulate economic development. Most off-grid PV systems utilise batteries to enable lighting at night and ensure continuous power for equipment such as refrigerators keeping agricultural produce fresh. Batteries are typically the most expensive system component and the need for periodic replacement represents an affordability and waste disposal sustainability challenge. Small-scale water pumping and distribution in rural SSA has traditionally relied upon manual labour. Large-scale irrigation requires fossil-fuel driven pumps which exacerbate climate change and represent significant capital and operational costs. Using PV to power water pumps is increasingly recognised as the most viable and sustainable option.

This PhD study aims to develop a novel technical solution or new approach which addresses a specific WEA nexus challenge, to be identified by the candidate from amongst a range of themes such as:

* Energy and water demand in agricultural irrigation systems. Potential for techno-economic optimisation with respect to agricultural yields by improving water use efficiency and reducing pump energy consumption.

* Practical feasibility and technoeconomic viability of replacing petrol/diesel driven borehole and irrigation pumps with using off-grid PV systems which simultaneously providing rural communities with affordable and reliable electricity access.

* Synergies between energy and water storage across diurnal and seasonal timescales. Possibilities for utilising elevated water tanks as environmentally benign low-cost potential energy stores in combination with household / farm / community scale hydro-kinetic electricity generators.

* Monitoring and managing groundwater resources to facilitate safe and sustainable consumption. Techniques and systems for gathering and analysing data on depths, quality, and aquifer abstraction/recharge rates at local and national scales.

* Affordable, maintainable, energy efficient water treatment solutions (filtration, purification, desalination etc) applicable to rural communities at household / farm / village scale.

Specific PhD study objectives are to:

* Examine a broad range of WEA nexus themes through literature review and engagement with academics/practitioners to identify a specific challenge.

* Identify key performance indicators and state-of-the-art benchmarks against which to assess success of new/novel solutions/approaches.

* Develop methodologies evaluating technical feasibility, economic viability, efficacy, etc.

* Formulate concepts for novel technical solutions and new approaches.

* Rationally identify a chosen option.

* Realise chosen solution/approach through design, fabrication and testing of prototypes and/or development and validation of simulation models.

* Test chosen solution/approach and compare results against benchmarks and performance indicators.

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.

  • Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

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 £19,000 (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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
Week beginning 9 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Jayanta Mondol

Other supervisors