Chemical plant at twilight

PhD, MResChemical & process engineering

Research opportunities

Prospective PhD Projects

Dr Iain Burns

  1. Compact LED sensors for diagnostics of flames and industrial processes

Dr Izabela Cebula

  1. Investigating the surface modification at the liquid-solid interface

Dr Yi-chieh Chen

  1. Modelling of Particle Size and Shape Information in Pharmaceutical Suspensions and the Effects on Visible/Near Infrared (vis-NIR) Spectra
  2. Multi-Sensor Measurements-Analysis Platform for In-line Process Monitoring
  3. Development of Novel Diffuse Reflectance Measurement for Monitoring Slurry Milling Process

Dr Ashleigh Fletcher

  1. Tertiary water treatment methods
  2. Carbon capture materials and systems
  3. Development of tailored porous materials

Dr Paul Grassia

  1. Foam improved oil recovery
  2. Foam fractionation
  3. Gas sweetening: mass transfer and antifoams

Dr Mark Haw

  1. Controlling nucleation in nanomaterial manufacture using a microscale optically-induced flow device 
  2. Engineering the nanoscale: developing a molecular understanding of biocatalytic self-assembly driven nanopropulsion
  3. A novel separation device for biomanufacture with algae, using oscillating microfluidic flows
  4. Predictive formulation of high-solid-content complex dispersions
Dr Karen Johnston
  1. Multiscale modelling of transistor/sensor devices
  2. Modelling the crystallisation process of glycine from solution

Dr Miguel Jorge

  1. Predicting solubility of hydrocarbons using molecular simulation
  2. Understanding the role of defects in adsorption and gas separation using Metal-Organic Frameworks
  3. Computational design of new hierarchical zeolite materials
  4. Measuring and predicting the surface tension of ionic liquids using molecular simulation and microfluidics

Dr Jun Li

  1. Investigations of interchange possibility of temperature and residence time in biomass torrefaction and kinetics
  2. Mechanism and kinetics studies of potassium release during combustion of agricultural biomass
  3. Model development of biomass pyrolysis with comprehensive conversion mechanisms

Dr Leo Lue

  1. Modelling the effect of the electric double layer on electron transfer kinetics at surfaces
  2. Understanding and mitigating the distribution of mercury and its compounds in oil and gas processing
  3. Design and control of nanoparticle structuring and self-organisation

Dr Vitor Maguiejo

  1. Production of strong biocompatible fibres via wet-spinning of micro and nanocellulose based formulations
  2. Manufacture of polymeric hollow fibre membranes using alternative green and sustainable solvents

Dr Paul Mulheran

  1. Modelling nucleation, growth and gelation of porous nano materials

Dr Chris Price

  1. Investigating the mechanism by which ultrasound can minimise impurity incorporation during crystal growth.
  2. Investigation of the continuous isolation of active pharmaceutical ingredients

Professor Sudipta Roy

  1. Electrochemical Surface and Interface Engineering
  2. Ionic Liquids and Processes
  3. Electrodepsoition and Corrosion
  4. Electrochemical Processes

Professor Jan Sefcik

  1. Development of continuous crystallisation processes for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals
  2. Classical and non-classical mechanisms of nucleation of molecular crystals from solutions

Dr Simon Shilton

  1. Development of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) hollow fibre membranes including mixed matrix structures.

Dr Esther Ventura-Medina

  1. Recovery of oil from oil-sands by froth flotation
  2. Lifelong learning beyond graduation - the challenges of professional development
  3. Social media in engineering education

Other study options

You can study an MRes over the course of one year or a PhD over three to four years.

You can study either degree in any of our three research groups:

Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PG Cert RPD) programme 

As part of your PhD degree, you'll be enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PG Cert RPD). 

This certificate is designed to support you with your research and rewards you for things you'll do as a research student here.

It'll help you improve skills which are important to professional development and employability:

  • the knowledge and intellectual abilities to conduct your research
  • the personal qualities to succeed in your research and chosen career
  • the standards, requirements and conduct of a professional researcher in your discipline
  • working with others and communicating the impact of your research to a wide range of audiences

All you have to do is plan these activities alongside your doctorate, documenting and reflecting your journey to success along the way.

Find out more about the PG Cert RPD programme.

Fees & funding

Fees

All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.

Here are our fees for 2017/18:

Scotland/ EU

  • £4,195 (full-time)

Rest of UK

  • £4,195 (full-time)

International students

  • £18,000 (full-time)

Funding

Have a look at our scholarship search for any funding opportunities.

The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.

How can I apply?

You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year.

All you have to do is complete an online application.

Entry requirements

You'll need a first or 2:1 UK Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a relevant engineering, physical or chemical sciences related discipline from a recognised academic institution.

If English isn't your first language, you'll also need to have a recent UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test (SELT) qualification.

The application

During the application you'll be asked for the following:

  • your full contact details
  • transcripts and certificates of all degrees
  • proof of English language proficiency if English isn't your first language
  • two references, one of which must be academic
  • funding or scholarship information
  • research proposal of 250 to 1,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated

By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.

Supervisors

Research supervisors are assigned to you by the Department of Chemical & Process Engineering.

Let us know who you'd like to work with in your application but the department will team you up with the best supervisor for your project.

Once we've received your application, your research proposal is passed to potential supervisors for consideration.

If it's not compatible with the researcher's current projects and they cannot supervise then it's passed along to another for consideration.

If they can supervise you then the supervisor will confirm and nominate a potential second supervisor.

As soon as a second supervisor is confirmed, an offer will be sent to you through Pegasus, our online application system.

If you accept, you'll be sent a full offer in writing via the email address you'll have provided.

Accepting an offer

Once you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.

UK or EU students

If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.

International students

An ATAS clearance certificate will be a mandatory requirement for some postgraduate students in science, engineering and technology.

You do not need an ATAS certificate if:

  • you are a UK/EU/EEA national
  • you require a Tier 4 student Visa, Entry Clearance or Extension to Stay to study in the UK
  • you wish to study within certain subject areas at the University where the exit award will be a doctorate or postgraduate masters degree

Find out if you need an ATAS certificate.

You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year.

All you have to do is complete an online application.

Support & development

Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)

Our PgCert RPD programme aims to ensure you get the most out of your current research activities at Strathclyde and help you prepare for your future career as a researcher.

We'll help you recognise and develop your transferable skills that'll have a positive impact on your research, now and in the future.

Careers

We have a great careers service at Strathclyde that can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation.

Student support

From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have loads of different support for all students here at our University. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.

Discover more about chemical engineering

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Research inspires young scientists and engineers

Our researchers are working on a project that outlines the challenging world of nanoscience to children - the scientists and engineers of the future.

Our research facilities

We opened new research laboratories in 2008. They house a number of experimental facilities for research activities, including light scattering, spectroscopy, adsorption measurements and high pressure viscometry.

Chemical engineering lab

Life in Glasgow

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Glasgow at Night - Clyde, Crane, Armadillo, Hydro

Scholarships & funding opportunities

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We can help with a wide range of financial support.
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International students

We've a thriving international community at the University of Strathclyde, with students coming here to study from countries across the world.