Award Summary

100% fees (UK home only), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000.

Overview

Around 90% of global trade is transported by sea, making shipping one of the foundations of modern life. As the maritime sector works towards ambitious Net Zero targets, there is an urgent need to develop cleaner propulsion technologies. This exciting PhD project will explore how emerging fuels can be integrated into marine energy systems without compromising performance or reliability.

You will develop advanced lifecycle and systems-level models to analyse how these fuels perform, from production and storage to onboard use and energy conversion. Using cutting-edge simulation and analysis techniques, the project will investigate fuel pathways, engine behaviour, hybrid power systems, energy flows, and emissions, helping identify routes to greater efficiency and lower environmental impact.

This project is ideal for candidates interested in:

• Sustainable energy systems and future fuels
• Marine decarbonisation and net zero technologies
• Process and systems modelling

The project forms part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Process Industries: Net Zero (PINZ), a major national doctoral training programme led by Newcastle University and the University of York in collaboration with over 25 industrial partners.

As a PINZ CDT student, the successful candidate will benefit from:

• Access to interdisciplinary training in lifecycle analysis, technoeconomic analysis, AI, and sustainability
• Industrial collaboration and co-supervision with leading industrial partners
• Opportunities for industry placements and international research visits
• Networking through annual conferences, innovation festivals and industry events
• Professional development in entrepreneurship, leadership and commercialisation
• A supportive cohort environment focused on developing future Net Zero leaders

This project is additionally sponsored by Maritime Research and Innovation UK and Babcock International, providing strong links to the maritime sector and ensuring the research has direct industrial relevance and impact.

This advert will close on 9.6.2026 but may close earlier if strong applications are received. Early submission is encouraged.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

1 October 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

9 June 2026

Sponsor

EPSRC

Supervisors

The successful applicant will join a collaborative and supportive research environment under the supervision of Dr Ben Wetenhall, Dr Greg Mutch and Dr Kayvan Pazouki.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, typically chemical, marine, mechanical or environmental engineering, or chemistry, although applicants from related fields are encouraged to enquire.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Once registered, select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Identify your programme of study via ‘Course Search’

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8856F
• Leave the 'Research Area' field blank
• Select ‘PhD in Process Industries; Net Zero (PINZ)' as the programme of study

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

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this field is mandatory) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form 
• The studentship codePINZ05-26 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field 
• Research Proposal’ - when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal –select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type 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. Each studentship requires its own application.

Contact Details

pinz.cdt@newcastle.ac.uk