PhD Studentship: Implementation of Innovative Telemetric Technology Towards Carbon-neutral and Safe Grain Storage in the UK Cranfield University in United Kingdom

[£23,000 stipend plus fees (reviewed annually) for three years. Fully funded for Home students; Overseas students must cover fee difference.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Cranfield University, sponsored by EPSRC-DLA and Crover Ltd, offers an exciting opportunity to advance environmental sustainability in grain storage. The project aims to develop innovative telemetric robotic sensing and predictive modelling technologies to control mycotoxin (Ochratoxin A) risk while reducing postharvest drying energy demand. By combining applied mycology, food safety modelling, precision agriculture, and Net Zero energy systems, the research will deliver energy-efficient, data-driven grain storage solutions for the UK agri-food sector.

Interdisciplinary in nature, the project sits at the intersection of bioengineering, heat and mass transfer, predictive modelling, postharvest systems engineering, and applied microbiology. It addresses the urgent need for energy-efficient grain storage solutions in the context of climate change and Net Zero commitments. The research integrates thermal dynamics, moisture migration modelling, and real-time telemetric sensing to tackle the dual challenge of maintaining food safety and reducing the carbon footprint of postharvest cereal management across the UK supply chain.

The student will collaboratively design and validate an integrated engineering and biological modelling framework for carbon-efficient grain storage. This includes heat and moisture transfer modelling, stochastic prediction of fungal growth and Ochratoxin A risk, and optimisation of in situ robotic sensing technology. The systems-based approach will generate balanced, data-informed strategies for proportionate ventilation, cooling, and drying decisions, reducing unnecessary energy use while safeguarding grain safety.

Expected outcomes include improved spatial understanding of temperature and moisture gradients within bulk grain, reduced over-drying and ventilation cycles, lower energy consumption, and enhanced operational confidence for storage managers. The research will strengthen sustainable engineering practices in agriculture and advance technology readiness toward commercial deployment.

The studentship includes a three-month industrial placement with Crover Ltd, providing hands-on experience in applied robotics, sensor optimisation, and product development within a collaborative SME setting. The project offers exposure to real-world storage facilities, interaction with farmers and grain operators, and participation in industry events.

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. Suitable backgrounds include mechanical, chemical or environmental engineering, bioengineering, agricultural or biosystems engineering, energy systems, physics, applied mathematics, data science, computer science, food science, microbiology or related fields. The studentship is open to both Home and Overseas fee status students, but only a limited number of studentships are available for Overseas students, who must cover the difference in fees. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined by UK Department for Education rules.

Funding includes a stipend of £23,000 plus fees (reviewed annually) for three years. The application deadline is 10 June 2026, and the project start date is 28 September 2026. For further information, contact Dr Carol Verheecke-Vaessen at [email protected]. Interested candidates should complete the online application form via the provided link.