Katie Laird

PhD opportunity at De Montfort University in a multidisciplinary project on wastewater disinfection using novel technologies . The project is supervised by Prof Katie Laird , Dr Maitreyi Shivkumar , and Prof Katherine Huddersman at LIPHI, De Montfort University , in collaboration with Hazen and Sawyer . Research will combine environmental engineering , microbiology , virology , and chemistry to develop and test DMU-derived catalyst systems for improved wastewater disinfection. Key research themes include reducing microbial contamination, studying bacteria, viruses, and fungi , examining antimicrobial resistance and microbial tolerance to treatment chemicals, and characterising free radical generation during treatment. The project also explores the effectiveness, scalability, and public-health relevance of novel catalyst technologies under realistic wastewater conditions. This is a fully funded PhD studentship for UK Home students . Funding includes a UKRI-rate stipend of £21,805 per annum for three years , full UK Home tuition fees , and £6000 bench fees for consumables, conferences, and site visits. The study duration is 4 years, with funding duration of 3 years, and the opportunity is subject to approval for funding. Eligibility: applicants should hold at least a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant field. The opportunity is only open to UK Home students . Deadline: 3 July 2026. How to apply: complete the online form linked in the post and send the application to [email protected] . Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and a panel meeting shortly after the deadline.

De Montfort University is advertising up to 3 funded PhD opportunities connected to the Institute for Responsible Business and Social Justice and Research and Innovation BAL . The post is shared by Professor Rachel Granger and points to a broader set of funded doctoral opportunities at DMU. The research themes highlighted in the post and linked page include responsible business , social justice , urban economies , and the Midlands Design: A multi-sector, multi-partner growth initiative . The DMU doctoral opportunities page explains that these are scholarship-style PhD awards where the research project may already be defined and a supervisory team may already be appointed. Funding covers tuition fees and includes a stipend for living expenses . These are therefore suitable for applicants seeking a funded doctoral route rather than a self-funded place. Eligibility and requirements are not fully specified in the social post. Interested applicants should be prepared to demonstrate fit with the project, motivation, and suitability for doctoral research. The linked DMU page notes that applying is similar to applying for a job: you need to make a case for why you are the best candidate. No language-test waiver, fee waiver, or other waiver is explicitly mentioned in the post. Deadline : the linked DMU funded opportunities page lists the relevant deadline as 17 July 2026 for the featured opportunities shown in the excerpt. How to apply : open the linked opportunity, read the project details carefully, and follow the university application instructions. If you are interested, contact Professor Rachel Granger and the named collaborators for further discussion before submitting your application.