PhD in MEM-3D: Membrane Engineering with 3D Printing for Advanced CO₂ Separations

Award Summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs will also be provided. 

Overview

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a digital technology and a key enabler for realising next-generation equipment designs that are less energy-intensive and more sustainable. This project will explore a new avenue: fabrication of porous ceramic supports using desktop scale 3D printing for molten salt membranes. The advantages of these membranes include very high temperature stability, high mechanical stability and longevity, excellent chemical resistance, and tuneable microstructure. Combined with the design freedom of 3D printing, we have the opportunity to design new membranes whose microstructure and macro-architecture work synergistically, similar to how systems work in nature.  

Experimental work will include the following indicative activities: 

• Designing and developing CAD models of test coupons and other structures 
• Fabrication of ‘green’ test structures and sintering these across a range of conditions 
• Characterising the mechanical properties of the printed structures 
• Fabrication of ceramic supports and impregnation with molten salts  
• Characterisation of CO2 permeation performance for CO2 capture and direct air capture conditions 

This project is a collaboration between the Process Intensification Group (PIG) and Materials, Concepts, and Reactors group (MatCoRe), so the successful candidate will be well supported. Additive manufacturing/3D printing and Net Zero are burgeoning areas, so the successful candidate will develop important transferable skills that will be highly-desirable in the future process industries.  

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

1st October 2026

Award Duration

4 Years

Application Closing Date

18th February 2026 

Sponsor

EPSRC   

Supervisors

Dr Jonathan McDonough ;  

Dr Greg Mutch  

Eligibility Criteria

We are adopting a contextual admissions process. This means we will consider other key competencies and experience alongside your academic qualifications. An example can be found here . 

A minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project is our standard entry, however we place value on prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and the ability to think and work independently. Excellent Analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. A Masters qualification may not be required if you have a minimum 2:1 degree or can evidence alternative experience in a work or research-based project. If you have alternative qualifications or experience, please contact us to discuss flexibilities and request an exemption.  

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme ) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How To Apply

Please read and complete this document as your Personal statement, and upload this with your application. Applications which do not include this document will not be considered. Further details can be found here . 

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal  

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 8030F 

• select ‘PhD Chemical Engineering (full time) – 8030F' as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section: 

• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – Use this template . 
• the studentship code DLA2621 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field. 
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.    

You must submit one application per studentship; you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. 

Contact Details

Dr Jonathan McDonough – jonathan.mcdonough@ncl.ac.uk  

Dr Greg Mutch – greg.mutch@ncl.ac.uk   

You can also contact: doctoral.awards@ncl.ac.uk for independent advice on your application.