Chemical Engineering

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD at the interface of chemical engineering, materials science, and microbiology at the University of Edinburgh? We are seeking a talented, motivated, and curious PhD student to develop innovative strategies for the safe and sustainable reprocessing of reusable medical devices. Reusable medical devices are central to modern healthcare. Their use reduces costs for healthcare systems such as the NHS and minimises environmental impact compared to single-use alternatives. However, their safe reuse depends critically on effective decontamination. While cleaning removes visible contamination, disinfection targets microscopic pathogens from previous patients. These microorganisms often exist as complex, highly resistant biofilm communities that are difficult to eradicate. Current reprocessing methods rely on aggressive physical and chemical treatments, which can unintentionally damage device surfaces. This can lead to microplastic release, as well as the formation of microcracks and surface grooves that promote further bacterial adhesion and resistance. 

This project addresses a key challenge: 

How can we effectively disinfect reusable medical devices without degrading materials or promoting microbial attachment? You will work with a custom-built laboratory system to simulate decontamination processes in a controlled manner. 

This will enable you to: 

• Investigate how different cleaning conditions influence surface degradation and microplastic release
• Grow and analyse biofilms on treated surfaces using advanced microscopy techniques
• Explore whether engineered surface patterns can reduce microbial attachment
• Develop and test surface functionalisation strategies to inhibit biofilm formation This interdisciplinary project combines experimentation, surface engineering, and microbiological analysis. You will also collaborate with leading UK medical device reprocessing companies, ensuring strong real-world impact. As a PhD student, you will benefit from a dynamic research environment and opportunities to present your work at conferences, workshops, and seminars, while building both academic and industry collaborations. Eligibility
• An excellent undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field
• A Master’s degree (MSc/MEng) in a relevant discipline is desirable
• Interest in surface science, interfacial engineering, microbiology, and laboratory-based research
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Experience with microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM) is advantageous Closing Date 22nd September 2026 Please note that the position may be filled before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Funding This project is currently open to self-funded applicants. You will be embedded within a highly supportive and well-resourced research environment at the University of Edinburgh, with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Exceptional candidates will also be supported in applying for competitive external funding opportunities, scholarships, and sponsorships as they arise. 

  Application Documents 

• Curriculum Vitae
• Degree Transcripts and Certificates
• Research Proposal (not more than 3 pages)

For informal enquiries, please contact: eepelle@ed.ac.uk The University of Edinburgh is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Ozone Decontamination of Medical and Nonmedical Devices: An Assessment of Design and Implementation Considerations: (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03754) Efficacy of gaseous ozone and UVC radiation against Candida auris biofilms on polystyrene surfaces (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113862)

• An excellent undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field
• A Master’s degree (MSc/MEng) in a relevant discipline is desirable
• Interest in surface science, interfacial engineering, microbiology, and laboratory-based research
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience with microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM) is advantageous

This project is currently open to self-funded applicants. You will be embedded within a highly supportive and well-resourced research environment at the University of Edinburgh, with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Exceptional candidates will also be supported in applying for competitive external funding opportunities, scholarships, and sponsorships as they arise.

Further information and other funding options.

This industrial focussed project will generate fundamental insights into the propagation of smouldering combustion. Timber and bio-based materials are increasingly found in applications within the built environment and industrial systems. It is therefore increasingly important that engineers understand the hazards that they present. While the flaming combustion (and extinction) of timber is relatively well understood, smouldering of solid wood has been less extensively studied. Smouldering combustion is a slow, low-temperature, flameless form of combustion. It can occurs in porous materials like peat, biomass, and polymer foams which form a carbon rich char when heated. Unlike flaming combustion which occurs in the gas phase, the combustion reaction of smouldering occurs on the surface of the solid. Smouldering plays an important role in our understanding of problems in wildfires (loss of organic soils, release of carbon), and engineered systems (e.g. soil remediation). This project will take an experimental approach to quantifying the processes underpinning smouldering propagation in timber and wood-based products. Of particular interest are evaluating the effect of parameters related to the wood (scale, grain orientation, moisture content) and the environmental variables (oxidiser flow and composition). The goal of this project is to measure the smouldering rates for large (~0.5 m3) volumes of timber and to quantify the effect of boundary conditions, timber density, and grain direction on the rate of smouldering. This will be achieved through an experimental programme on a range of different specimens of timber. The experimental work may be accompanied by detailed material characterisation, study of the reaction mechanism and numerical modelling to interrogate the smouldering processes in more detail to advance fundamental understanding of this important fire process.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2020.103058 

https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-1285(85)90004-8 

https://publications.iafss.org/publications/fss/3/565/view/fss_3-565.pdf

This project will build upon existing work already performed at the University of Edinburgh’s Fire Research Centre. The project will utilise existing equipment as well as designing new apparatus on an as-needed basis. The project is entirely sponsored by Nuclear Transport Solutions. The student should expect the project to involve significant time in the Rushbrook Fire Laboratory as well as analysis of data and the development of underpinning analytical models.

The project is available to (UK+EU settled/pre-settled). The candidate must meet the English qualification requirements as described at: Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

This project is fully funded for a home student (fees and stipend).

To qualify as a Home student, you must fulfil one of the following criteria:

• You are a UK student OR
• You are an EU student with settled/pre-settled status who also has 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your programme. International students are not eligible.

Further information and other funding options.