Taking ‘forever’ out of ‘forever chemicals’ using biosolid biochar: A ‘circular economy’ approach for more sustainable wastewater treatment

Supervisors

Dr Szabolcs Pap

Dr Lydia Niemi

Prof. Alistair Kean

Tamsyn Kennedy

About The Project

Host Institution: Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands

Location: Thurso, UK

Funding: Self-funded studentship with support for fees and RTSG

Deadline for application: 15.01.2026.

Start Date: Mid 2026.

Project Overview

The revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (rUWWTD) introduces ambitious targets for micropollutant removal, creating an urgent need for cutting-edge, cost-effective treatment solutions. This PhD project will explore the conversion of biosolids into biochar as a sustainable alternative to conventional granular activated carbon (GAC) for advanced wastewater treatment.

The Research Will Focus On

Developing and characterising biosolid-derived biochar for adsorption of priority contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, flame retardants,



and other “forever chemicals.”
Evaluating performance against rUWWTD targets (80% reduction for 12 micropollutants) and phosphorus removal.
Comparing operational costs (OPEX) with conventional GAC systems and assessing regeneration and disposal strategies.
Investigating scalability and integration into existing treatment infrastructure.

Why This Matters

Scotland alone generates ~130,000 tonnes of biosolids annually, costing £6 million for management. Repurposing this waste into biochar offers a circular economy solution that addresses both biosolid disposal and micropollutant removal, supporting net-zero ambitions.

Candidate Profile

We Seek a Highly Motivated Candidate With

Applicants must have obtained a First class UK honours degree, or a combination of a 2.1 bachelor's honours degree and a master's degree awarded with Merit (or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK), in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineeri

📌 PhD Studentship (Kanke)
🏢 Environmental Research Institute
📍 Kanke