PhD Studentship: Sustainable road binders derived from biogenic supply chain

Area
Engineering

Location
UK Other

Closing Date
Thursday 30 April 2026

Reference
ENG
327

The positions are filled in a first-in, first-served basis, therefore we encourage early expression of interest.

Supervisors
:
Prof. Gordon Airey, Dr Anand Sreeram, Dr Nick Thom, Dr Richard Taylor

Programme Length
:
Four years

Contract Type
: full time

Prospective Start Date
Academic year
: 2026/27

Key words
: biogenic supply chains, sustainable materials, biobased binders, road construction

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net 2 Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment. The CDT in Net 2 Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO₂ from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO₂ Storage (DACCS), CO₂ utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc.

Through our research training programme, you will be able to

• develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policy making.
• Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
• The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.

An exciting opportunity is available for a talented and motivated PhD candidate to pursue research on production of sustainable materials for road construction binders from renewable biogenic sources. The project will support the move from society’s reliance on materials produced from the fossil fuel supply chain to one which leverages industrial symbiosis with bio-energy and other bio-industries to produce binders for roads from renewable resources.

Today, road construction relies heavily on petroleum-derived bitumen and non-renewable sourced aggregates and fillers. These traditional materials come with significant environmental burdens, including high carbon emissions, water use, land use and resource depletion.

Interest in biobased binders has increased rapidly and these materials have showed potential to reduce environmental impact and may enhance durability, aging resistance and eventual pavement performance. However, large-scale adoption is limited by gaps in scientific understanding, inconsistent performance data, unclear long-term ageing behaviour, and lack of standardised test protocols.

The project will explore novel technological routes to produce biogenic road binders which, when used in asphalt mixtures, provides a significant opportunity for road pavements to become technical carbon sinks.

The overall aim of the project is to evaluate bio‑based materials for use in road construction, focusing on mechanical performance, durability, carbon reduction, economic feasibility, and alignment with circular economy principles.

The project is mainly funded by the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Negative Emissions Technologies for Net Zero (Net 2 Zero) with additional support from Core Additive Technologies Limited. As part of the CDT programme, you will benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training programme and…