This fully funded MSc by Research, with a stipend of £22,000 pa, is sponsored by Anglian Water. The research offers an exciting opportunity to develop knowledge on seawater desalination brine management. The program will combine desk based and experimental activities that will ultimately establish the most sustainable approach to treatment, recovery and/or disposal of the brines. The successful candidate will work within a team of researchers and closely with the water utility using real seawater samples collected from sites of interest. 

Due to a significant imbalance between freshwater availability and demand for drinking water, the South and East of England are facing a major challenge for the near future. As part of their plan to maintain sustainable and secure drinking water supply, water utilities in these regions have identified a range of alternative water supply options. Among those options, seawater desalination was identified as a viable opportunity to deliver drought resistance within the next 15 years. For this, a feasibility study was carried out and identified several potential sites for the installation of seawater desalination schemes. It then becomes critical to identify the most suitable treatment systems to deliver resilient and sustainable desalination for these sites. 
 
A programme of work focusing on seawater characterisation, desalination technologies and brine management was then developed, aiming to study and ultimately select the most suitable treatment train options within this context. The current project will focus on the brine management aspect and building on the expertise and state of the art facilities in the Water Science Institute at 成人直播, it will identify and test key technological options for brine treatment and resource recovery. The project will deliver key results which will help the industrial partner shape their strategy for brine management at full-scale sites. 
 
This MSc by Research project will then allow the successful candidate to demonstrate their ability to conduct cutting edge applied research, whilst benefiting from the support of academic supervisors and industrial input from the partner. 成人直播 is well known for its excellence in delivering research for the water industry and our students are a key part of this relationship, often finding careers within the industry after completing their studies at 成人直播. 
At the end of the project the successful candidate will be very well positioned to have a very successful career in the water sector or academia. We will help you develop into a dynamic, confident and highly competent researcher with wider transferable skills (communication, project management and leadership) and an international network of colleagues that will be highly desirable for future employability.
 
The Water Science Institute has an international reputation for its transformational research and teaching in the science, engineering and management of water in the municipal, industrial and natural environments.

At a glance

  • Application deadline21 Jan 2026
  • Award type(s)MSc by Research
  • Start date02 Mar 2026
  • Duration of award1 year (full-time) and 2 years (part-time)
  • EligibilityUK
  • Reference numberCRAN-0042

Supervisor

1st Supervisor: Dr Marc Pidou 
2nd Supervisor: Prof Ewan McAdam

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or international equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit in a relevant subject such as chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, or other relevant engineering/science degree. The ideal candidate should have some understanding of water science. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest in applied scientific research. 

Funding

Sponsored through industrial funding from one water utility, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £22,000 per annum (tax free) plus fees* for one year.
 
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a home student. We require that applicants are under no restrictions regarding how long they can stay in the UK.

 

Diversity and Inclusion at 成人直播

We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. 成人直播 strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential.

At 成人直播, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.

We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme. 

成人直播 Doctoral Network

Research students at 成人直播 benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the 成人直播 Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact:

Name: Dr Marc Pidou
Email: m.piduo@cranfield.ac.uk  

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the 

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received. Therefore, we encourage early submission, as the position may be filled before the stated deadline.