PhD Vacancy - Predicting and Improving the Quality of Recycled Plastics Using Advanced Metrology

• About the Role
• Recycled plastics are essential to achieving circular economy goals, but they often suffer from batch-to-batch variability, making it difficult for industry to predict and control product performance. This PhD project will tackle that challenge by applying advanced polymer characterisation techniques to better understand and quantify the quality of recycled materials, particularly polyolefins.
  
  

Based at the University of Manchester and delivered in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Waters-TA Instruments, this interdisciplinary project will focus on developing robust, practical tools to assess and predict recyclate quality. The work will involve thermal analysis (e.g. DSC, TGA), rheology, mechanical testing, and molecular characterisation, with the goal of identifying property-performance relationships and generating datasets suitable for quality prediction.

A core part of the project will also involve exploring data-driven approaches, including principal component analysis and machine learning, to handle multivariate datasets. Prior experience in data science is not essential; the successful candidate will be supported through training in computational tools and statistical methods over the course of the project.

The project includes placements at NPL and Waters-TA Instruments, with opportunities to work in state-of-the-art facilities in Wilmslow (UK) and Delaware (USA).

Additionally, the successful candidate will gain access to professional development opportunities, industry skills training, and cohort events through the Postgraduate Institute for Measurement Science (PGI) at NPL.

About You

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Link to apply: Predicting and Improving the Quality of Recycled Plastics Using Advanced Metrology and Data Science at The University of Manchester on FindAPhD.com.

About Us

This project is in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.