Francis Hassard

Cranfield University is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity focused on enhancing water treatment using robotic tools for filter maintenance, in partnership with Thames Water and the Ofwat Innovation Fund. The project, SandSCAPE, aims to revolutionize slow sand filtration—a key process in drinking water production—by integrating autonomous underwater skimming robots to minimize energy use and chemical consumption. The research will benchmark novel robotic systems against conventional methods, assess operational performance, and analyze ecological changes using advanced metagenomics and sensor data. The PhD is co-supervised by Dr Francis Hassard (Cranfield University) and Dr Michael Chipps (Thames Water), providing students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and full-scale operational assets. The program includes an industrial placement, specialized training budget, and opportunities to present at international conferences. Applicants should hold a good honours degree in a relevant STEM field and be classified as home students. The studentship covers full tuition and a £24,000 annual stipend for three years. The application deadline is 10 December 2025, but early applications are encouraged as interviews are ongoing. For more information and to apply, contact Dr Francis Hassard or visit the Cranfield University project page.

Cranfield University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship in partnership with Thames Water, focusing on enhancing water treatment using robotic tools for filter maintenance. The project, SandSCAPE, is supported by the Ofwat Innovation Fund and aims to modernise slow sand filtration—a key process in London’s drinking water supply—by integrating autonomous underwater skimming robots. The research will benchmark robotic maintenance against conventional methods, quantify operational performance, and assess ecological changes using advanced microbiological and sensor techniques. The successful candidate will work closely with Thames Water’s Engineering Innovation Team and benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities at Cranfield, including the Environment Analytical Facility. The project is co-supervised by Dr Francis Hassard (Cranfield University) and Dr Michael Chipps (Thames Water). Applicants should hold a good honours degree in a relevant STEM field and be classified as a home student. The studentship covers full tuition and a £24,000 annual stipend for three years. The programme includes industrial placement, specialised training, and opportunities to present research at international conferences. Early application is advised as interviews are ongoing. For more information, contact Dr Francis Hassard or visit the Cranfield University website.