Helen Hailes

The Department of Chemical Engineering at University College London (UCL) invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focused on the techno-economic and life cycle assessment of future plastic recycling technologies for a circular economy. UCL Chemical Engineering is renowned for its world-class research and teaching, with a portfolio spanning molecular to industrial scales and a strong commitment to solving societal challenges. This studentship is embedded within ongoing projects at UCL, including the flagship Mission Hub “Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology” (P3EB), which aims to transform end-of-life plastic waste using innovative engineering biology technologies. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Departments of Biochemical Engineering and Chemistry, the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, and the P3EB Mission Hub. The project addresses the urgent environmental crisis caused by plastic waste, which persists in ecosystems, entangles wildlife, and accumulates as microplastics with emerging risks to human and soil health. Despite policy interventions, plastic production is expected to double by 2050, with significant volumes still landfilled or incinerated, exacerbating pollution and climate change. Current recycling methods are limited and often result in downcycling. The successful candidate will design and evaluate novel plastic systems that are circular, sustainable, and economically viable. The focus will be on innovative waste treatment technologies under development at UCL, including enzymatic processes. The studentship will assess the technical, economic, and environmental performance of these technologies using state-of-the-art life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with the Planetary Boundaries framework—a pioneering approach developed at UCL. The research aims to identify key hotspots for innovation and optimization, highlight promising technological options, and support policy and decision-making in the UK and internationally. The student will join the world-leading LCA Research Group at UCL Chemical Engineering and work closely with Dr. Andrea Paulillo, Prof. Paola Lettieri, Dr. Jack Jeffries, and Prof. Helen Hailes. The position offers a stipend of approximately £23,466 per annum plus UK-equivalent tuition fees for four years, starting October 2026. Funds are available for UK-equivalent fees; overseas applicants must secure funding for the fee difference. Applicants should have or be close to completing a first-class degree at MEng or MSc level in a quantitative subject such as chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline. Experience with industrial ecology, LCA tools, plastic systems, environmental issues, and large dataset analysis is desirable. The ability to work independently and collaboratively is essential. To apply, submit your application via the UCL portal, nominating Dr. Andrea Paulillo as supervisor and including a statement of interest. For informal enquiries, contact Dr. Andrea Paulillo at [email protected]. Further information about the MPhil/PhD course and recruitment process is available on the UCL Chemical Engineering website. This studentship offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in plastic recycling, sustainability, and environmental engineering, and to make a meaningful impact on global environmental challenges.