Funded PhDs and Research Degrees.
Current opportunities
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Welsh Graduate School for Social Sciences (WGSSS)
The University of South Wales is proud to be part of the Welsh Graduate School for Social Sciences.
WGSSS is part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and aims to train the next generation of social scientists in Wales to address a range of pressing issues affecting society today.
A collaboration between seven universities, WGSSS offers a unique platform for aspiring researchers. Funded by the ESRC and through strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, the WGSSS ensures real-world impact, offering students opportunities to engage directly with decision-makers and stakeholders.
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
AHRC Doctoral Focal Award
Alongside the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, USW is part of a consortium which has been awarded a major AHRC Doctoral Focal Award in the Creative Economy to strengthen the creative industries across the Celtic arc, spanning Wales, Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands.
USW is also a partner in a second AHRC Focal Award, Lles, led by Swansea University, on behalf of the Wales Arts and Humanities Alliance, along with RWCMD. Lles focuses on the arts and humanities for a healthy people, planet and place, in a consortium of all Welsh HEIs who will work closely with the Office of Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.
AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award
Moreover, USW is one of 50 Higher Education Institutions to receive a new Doctoral Landscape Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. These awards are part of a new approach to funding doctoral study, aim to underpin the strength and stability of the arts and humanities research ecosystem.
Funded PhDs
Brief proposal and project aim:
The protection of water resources by the development of effective and energy efficient wastewater treatment is essential to meet global development challenges. We have developed a novel microbial fuel cell-based wastewater treatment reactor which treats wastewater while generating electricity. You will work as part of a team funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering to research the performance of this reactor in treating wastewater by determining its efficiency in removing organic pollution, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) pharmaceuticals and personal care products. You will be trained in the use of advanced analytical techniques for electrochemical and wastewater analysis.
Applications are invited from graduates with backgrounds in Bioscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Chemical/Biochemical/Process Engineering, Environmental Science and related
disciplines who have/expect to graduate with a MSc or first/upper-second UK honours degree, or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. Knowledge of chemical techniques related to water analysis such as chemical oxygen demand measurement, UV spectrometry and/or HPLC is desirable.
Supervisory Team:
(Director of Studies), Professor Richard Dinsdale
(Supervisors/Advisors) Dr Rodrigo Fernandez Feito and Dr Amandeep Kaur
Scholarship details
The studentship includes tuition fees at the UK home student rate (£5238 per year, full-time) and a stipend of £21,805 per annum for three years (or part-time equivalent).
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a relevant undergraduate degree (2:1 or higher) in Bioscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Chemical/Biochemical/Process Engineering, Environmental Science and related disciplines.
- Knowledge of chemical techniques related to water analysis such as chemical oxygen demand measurement, UV spectrometry and/or HPLC is desirable.
- Be highly self-motivated, with a capacity to learn and develop new research skills
- Have well-developed interpersonal skills for collaborative work
- Have an ability to produce technical reports and communicate findings
- Be UK-resident.
How to Apply
For guidance on your application and supporting documents please visit the Graduate School webpages.
Please indicate in your personal statement that you are applying for this studentship. Please note: A research proposal is not required.
You can apply here.
You may contact Llinos Spargo in the Graduate School for advice on the application process
Email: [email protected]
For informal discussions about the research, please contact:
Professor Richard Dinsdale
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 7780 074870
Closing date: Friday 5th June 2026
Interview date: Mid-June 2026 (TBC)
Start date: October 2026