At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop greener MOF nanogels for water remediation and critical mineral recovery.
- Company: Join a leading research team at the University of Birmingham.
- Benefits: Annual stipend, tuition fees covered, and research training support.
- Other info: International students welcome; excellent opportunity for career growth in sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental safety and resource recovery.
- Qualifications: 2:1 UK BSc or pass at UK MSc level required.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Persistent organic pollutants, toxic metals and dyes threaten water quality, while discarded products and industrial residues contain valuable critical minerals. Sorbents can lose performance or release their own components as water chemistry changes. This project will develop greener metal-organic framework (MOF) nanogels and determine how their transformations govern remediation, resource recovery and environmental safety. MOFs are porous solids with tunable binding sites. We will test whether confinement within hydrated biopolymer networks limits framework release while preserving accessible binding sites.
You will prepare a small set of formulations using aqueous or reduced-solvent routes, then examine capture under different pH, dissolved organic matter and competing-ion conditions. Screening will cover persistent PFAS, represented by PFOA/PFOS, heavy metals and dyes. Detailed studies will focus on the most promising combinations. A separate pathway will test recovery of rare-earth elements, including neodymium and dysprosium, from secondary aqueous resources.
Building on our MOF remediation and transformation research, the project will connect structural and chemical changes to performance throughout synthesis, gelation, capture, regeneration and end-of-life ageing. Metal and linker release measurements, combined with pollutant mass balances, will identify potential secondary contamination. Mineral recovery will be assessed through desorption yield and product purity. Safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) will guide material selection.
You will compare treatment performance, aquatic effects, chemical and energy inputs, waste generation and reuse against relevant commercial sorbents. The outcome will be experimentally supported design rules for water treatment and resource recovery, identifying conditions that preserve useful performance while limiting environmental harm.
Funding notes: This project is offered through the CENTA3 DLA, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers: annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level), Research Training Support Grant. Academic requirements: at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent. International students are eligible for studentships to a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover any additional costs relating to moving or residing in the UK. International applicants must fulfil the University of Birmingham's international student entry requirements, including English language.
References:
- Bhadane, P. and Chakraborty, S. (2025) 'Cellulose acetate-nanoMOF beads: a safe, sustainable and scalable solution for Pb remediation in complex water systems', Environmental Science: Nano 12, pp. 3329-3341. doi: 10.1039/D5EN00056D
- Bhadane, P. and Chakraborty, S. (2025) 'Cross-material synergies of carbon nanomaterials, MOFs, and COFs: Innovative approaches for sustainable environmental remediation and resource recovery', Coordination Chemistry Reviews 535, 216669. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2025.216669
- Fu, Q., Wen, L., Zhang, L., Chen, X., Pun, D., Ahmed, A., Yang, Y. and Zhang, H. (2017) 'Preparation of Ice-Templated MOF-Polymer Composite Monoliths and Their Application for Wastewater Treatment with High Capacity and Easy Recycling', ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 9, pp. 33979-33988. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b10872
- Chakraborty, S. and Lynch, I. (2025) 'Biomolecular Transformations Shape the Environmental Fate of Nanoscale and Emerging Materials', Accounts of Chemical Research. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.5c00587
- Chakraborty, S., Menon, D., Mikulska, I., Pfrang, C., Fairen-Jimenez, D., Misra, S. K. and Lynch, I. (2025) 'Make metal-organic frameworks safe and sustainable by design for industrial translation', Nature Reviews Materials. doi: 10.1038/s41578-025-00774-6.
PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B09 Greener MOF nanogels for water remediation and critical mineral recovery in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant academic environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the School of Chemistry provides ample opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles, all while being situated in a dynamic city known for its rich cultural heritage and supportive community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B09 Greener MOF nanogels for water remediation and critical mineral recovery in Birmingham
✨Get Your Foot in the Lab Door
Look for internship programmes specifically set up for life sciences or biotechnology students. Many companies, including University of Birmingham, offer structured pathways for interns, so check their careers page or your university's career services to snag those early opportunities.
✨Connect with Researchers and Alumni
Tap into biotechnology-focused online communities, such as LinkedIn groups or local biotech meetups. Networking with seasoned professionals or alumni from your university can give you an inside track on internships that may not be widely advertised. A little conversation can go a long way!
✨Get Involved in Research Projects
If you haven’t already, volunteer for or participate in research projects at your university. This hands-on experience not only builds your CV but also helps you make connections with faculty who can recommend you or point you to internship opportunities at companies like University of Birmingham.
✨Keep Your Application Needs in Mind
When you're ready to apply, make sure your online portfolio reflects relevant projects and any lab techniques you’re familiar with. Showcasing your understanding of biotechnology, particularly what relates to the work done at University of Birmingham, can help you stand out from the heap of applicants!
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B09 Greener MOF nanogels for water remediation and critical mineral recovery in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Lab Skills:For a biotech internship, showcasing any relevant lab skills is crucial. If you've worked with lab techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, or CRISPR, make sure these stand out in your CV. We want to see that you have hands-on experience and can contribute from day one.
Share Your Academic Projects:Don't forget to mention any academic projects related to biotechnology. If you've conducted research or completed projects that involved analysis or experimentation, highlight these in your cover letter. It shows us your practical understanding of biotech concepts and your motivation to learn more.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, focus on your passion for biotechnology and your eagerness to learn. Use this space to explain why you want to intern with University of Birmingham specifically and how this experience aligns with your career goals. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
Include Relevant Coursework:Make sure to list any relevant coursework on your CV. Classes like Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Bioinformatics can really make you stand out. We want to see that you've got the foundational knowledge, as it helps us gauge how easily you'll adapt to our projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
As we're diving into the biotechnology world, it's essential to refresh your knowledge on commonly used lab techniques. Be prepared to discuss methods like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and CRISPR. They might even ask you to explain the principles behind them or how you've used them in your studies!
✨Show Your Passion for Bioscience
Internships are all about eagerness to learn and grow, so let your enthusiasm for biotechnology shine through! Share any relevant projects, coursework, or volunteer experiences that showcase your motivation and dedication to the field. This will show University of Birmingham that you're not just looking for any gig, but you're genuinely excited about contributing to their research.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a biotech internship interview, be ready for scenarios that test your problem-solving skills. For example, how would you handle a contamination issue in an experiment? Practising these types of questions will help you demonstrate your critical thinking and adaptability, which are key traits for any budding biotechnologist.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Biotechnology often involves collaboration, so emphasising your ability to work in a team is crucial. Think about group projects or lab work where you collaborated with peers. Sharing these experiences will show University of Birmingham that you're not only a great individual contributor but also a team player, ready to thrive in their collaborative environment.
