PhD in Process Research and Development

University of Leeds

The safe, sustainable, and economical manufacture of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and new materials to meet global needs represents major societal challenges, the solutions to which require cross-disciplinary thinking and approaches. New catalytic and processing technologies are required to better use existing chemical feedstocks and embrace new renewable sources of feedstocks, such as bio-based raw materials. Using cleaner technologies, such as electrochemical and photochemical processes, requires new chemistry and engineering solutions to become viable commercial processes. Researchers in this grouping collaborate extensively with colleagues in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering and beyond through the University’s Institute for Process Research and Development (iPRD). The iPRD is underpinned by four joint appointments between the Schools of Chemistry and Chemical and Process Engineering, including two Professors appointed from the industry with over 30 years of experience. The iPRD is home to a 650 m2 state-of-the-art process development laboratory, which is the first of its kind in the UK. We collaborate extensively with industry through the iPRD’s Industry Club (a major pre-competitive research forum) as well as through individual research projects.