UK : University of Teesside Research Doctoral Scholarships

Sustainable technologies

The University of Teesside is offering 4 full-time Research Doctoral Scholarships across a broad range of subject areas including: computing, psychology, science and engineering. The scholarships are aligned to key areas of research strength within the Digital Futures Institute, the Social Futures Institute and the Technology Futures Institute. The awards will be for a period of three years and include fees (home/EU or international rate) and an annual stipend of £12,600. Successful applicants should be in a position to take up the scholarships in November 2008 or shortly thereafter.

Research Theme: Sustainable technologies

3. Advanced catalysis for the conversion of biomass-derived "syngas" to fuels and chemicals.

The overall process that will be investigated is:
Biogas (methane + carbon dioxide) to Syngas ( hydrogen + carbon monoxide), using catalyst 1

Syngas ( hydrogen + carbon monoxide) to Useful stuff (fuel for fuel cells, diesel + gasoline + olefins), using catalyst 2

The study will be focused on the following particular aspects:
• preparation of catalyst 1 and catalyst 2 using sol-gel method;
• physical characterization of those catalysts using ICP, XPS, XRD, SEM, TPR, TPO, and XAFS;
• chemical characterization of the prepared catalysts: activity and selectivity;
• TAP (Temporal analysis of Products) reactor transient kinetic study: mechanism, kinetic parameter estimation;
• the most suitable reactor design.

Research Doctoral Scholarships applicants should have at least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification and ideally a postgraduate qualification. The minimum English language entry level is IELTS 6.5 with no grade below 6.0 or equivalent.

To apply for a scholarship you must contact the Graduate Research School for an application form:

University of Teesside Research Doctoral Scholarships
Graduate Research School
University of Teesside
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BA
UK
E-mail: graduateresearchschool@tees.ac.uk or tel: +44(0)1642 738033

Closing date: 15 September 2008