Net²Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

About Net²Zero

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.

Through innovative research projects, our doctoral students will explore renewable energy, carbon capture technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and more. The CDT provides a supportive environment where students can engage in impactful research under the guidance of world-class academics and industry leaders.

The Net²Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO₂ from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO₂ storage (DACCS); CO₂ utilisation; biochar synthesis and utilisation; biomass transition to materials and chemicals; and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

The Net²Zero Centre is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), University of Nottingham and University of Warwick. Students can be based at any University. All partners have expertise in direct carbon capture, usage and storage; biochar synthesis and utilisation; biomass transition to materials and chemicals; and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

Why study with us?

By joining our CDT, you will be part of a community committed to making a difference in the world.

Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend, paid tuition fees and a generous research training support grant.
Develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking.
A training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.

Consortium partners

Our research leaders use state-of-the-art facilities to address real-world challenges in deploying negative emission technologies across the UK and beyond. As part of the Net²Zero CDT, you will have access to these advanced resources, empowering you to contribute to groundbreaking solutions.

Aston University

Aston University is home to the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), which offers cutting-edge laboratories for comprehensive research, from fundamental analysis to semi-industrial demonstrations, including a pilot-scale biochar production unit, the largest UK R&D gasification plant, and a leading distributed renewable energy demonstrator. We boast core analytical equipment such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, advanced thermal processing capabilities including pyrolysis rigs and autoclave systems, bioprocessing facilities, a specialised catalysis research laboratory, and integrated microscopy and imaging spectroscopy equipment.

The Supergen Bioenergy Hub – the UK’s leading research consortium for biomass and bioenergy – is also based at Aston University alongside the CDT. This collaborative platform leads and fosters interdisciplinary research efforts aimed at transforming biomass resources into sustainable energy solutions. As part of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, our CDT helps fill a critical skills gap and leverages extensive networks and expertise to drive forward the frontier of bioenergy innovation.

SHARE network:
All Net²Zero CDT students are eligible to become members of the SHARE network, which provides an informal but professional interdisciplinary network of peers who are engaged in bioenergy research. This gives students the opportunity to expand their professional links with students in other universities.

Queen's University Belfast (QUB)

QUB features the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre – a hub for manufacturing innovation. Its labs support biomass processing, CO₂ capture and utilisation, and materials analysis, with capabilities ranging from catalyst synthesis to continuous CO₂ conversion.

University of Nottingham

University of Nottingham includes the analytical facility for fuel and biomass research, the Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, a hydrothermal carbonisation facility, a sorbent capture looping facility and world-class microwave processing facilities.

University of Warwick

University of Warwick’s laboratories are fully equipped for synthesis of catalytic materials with different supports, functionalities, active sites, surface features and other tuneable properties.

Our training programme

The training focus is on interdisciplinary engineering and physical sciences, to develop state of-the-art technologies, materials and whole system analysis and evaluation of Negative Emission Technologies (NET), ensuring to build and balance your skills portfolio.

Aligned with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) priority to advance carbon removal technologies, and developed in consultation with industry, the Net²Zero supports a whole systems approach to developing technological solutions, paving the way for a sustainable net zero future.

During your training, you will learn from and with your peers as you will have different backgrounds. The training, not only will build your technical knowledge in Negative Emission Technologies, but will also balance your skills portfolio and enable you to form professional relationships for your future employment.

Training schedule

First two years: non-credited taught courses

During the first two years of your training, you will be completing a series of non-credited taught courses with your cohort. They will be complemented by soft skills training, specific technical training, conferences, and site visits.

Professional development

Conferences and site visits for practical learning
Three month secondment with a project partner
Entrepreneurship and networking: Aston Apollo Programme
Annual Summer School
- Networking opportunity with CDT students, researchers, government, and industry
- Themes: responsible research and innovation, research impact, communication skills, and end-user engagement

Overview

4-year training programme for the net square zero centre of doctoral training

Eligibility

The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in a relevant subject.

We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation and we are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

We are currently only advertising projects for Home-Fee Status candidates.

Our Projects

RECRUITMENT for the Academic Year 2025/26 IS NOW OPEN!!!
We invite motivated and talented individuals to join us in pioneering solutions to global decarbonisation challenges.

Projects advertised are open exclusively to Home-Fee status candidates.

You do not need an in depth knowledge of negative emission technologies when you apply. If you are accepted onto our programme, you will benefit from a series of training courses, which will prepare you for your exciting innovative research project.

Potential Projects are shown on Aston Graduate School website. Please indicate on your Expression of Interest form your preference for which project/s you are interested in. We will use your project preferences as a guide, but you may also be considered for other projects. You can find our Expression of Interest in each project's description and also here.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

EDI is at the heart of the Net²Zero CDT's culture and support is available for students with disability. Our EDI working group provides guidance to the management team on all aspects of EDI across our activities. We are committed to recognising and promoting talent, irrespective of protected characteristics, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and free from discrimination. Bullying and harassment of any kind are not tolerated within the CDT.

We also support flexible working patterns and follow Athena Swan best practices by minimising out-of-hours meetings and events. Our CDT supervisors undergo training in unconscious bias and diversity management.

We strive to accommodate adjustments related to disabilities or flexible working arrangements for childcare. Additionally, disabled students can access further support through EPSRC’s Disabled Students Allowance.

Aston University received the Athena Gold Award in March 2024, recognising excellence in advancing gender equality in higher education and research. Additionally, Aston University has been recognised for its commitment to advancing race equality with a Race Equality Charter Bronze.

For more information on EDI at our partner universities, please visit the following links:

Industrial partners

Together, we’ll work with companies in energy, engineering, and environmental sectors who actively contribute to shaping our research agenda and providing real-world applications for our innovations.

Aggregate Industries	Cambridge Science and Policy (CSP) Consulting	CASE
Energy Systems Catapult	Cirevo	CO2RE
Concrete 4 Change Technology	Coal Products Limited (CPL)	DAERA
DRAX Power Limited	Eblana Photonics	EPRI
Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)	GreenX Technology	Halocycle Limited
ICMEA	Inov8s Solutions Limited	KEW Technology
Marks & Clerk	Mitsubishi Chemicals	OXCCU Tech Limited
PyroGenesys	Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)	South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE)
Stoli Chem Catalysts	Surface Measurement System (SMS)	UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR)
UNIPER	University of Adelaide	Waring Waste Limited
WASE Limited	Wastewater Fuels Limited

Become a partner

Partners are integral to our focus on real-world impact, assisting in the translation of research findings into practical applications and scalable solutions. We ensure that the brightest national and international PhD candidates are best placed to actively contribute to the world innovation needs in the net-zero space.

Engaging with our CDT offers companies access to the latest breakthroughs in decarbonisation technologies and a pipeline of highly skilled graduates prepared to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change. We actively seek innovative businesses to sponsor our students and co-develop groundbreaking applied research plans.

Benefits to partners:

Access to cutting edge research and innovation in a cost effective manner.
Solve real world problems.
Talent pipeline development.
Opportunity for long-term strategic partnerships.

A few examples of how to get involved:

Offering in-kind contribution providing guidance, mentorship and training to students.
Hosting student placements within your facilities.
Directly sponsoring research students.

Meet the team

Professor Patricia Thornley	Net²Zero CDT Director
Dr Jude Onwudili	Industry Lead Centre Co-Director (Aston University)
Professor Sai Gu	Centre Co-Director (University of Warwick)
Professor Hao Liu	Centre Co-Director (University of Nottingham)
Professor David Rooney	Centre Co-Director (Queen's University Belfast)
Professor Evgeny Rebrov	Centre Co-Investigator (University of Warwick)
Associate Professor Eleanor Binner	Centre Co-Investigator (University of Nottingham)
Dr Marta Granollers Mesa	Training Programme Lead Centre Co-Investigator (Aston University)
Professor Chunfei Wu	Centre Co-Investigator (Queen's University Belfast)
Professor Peter Robertson	Centre Co-Investigator (Queen's University Belfast)
Dr Emma Estevez	Net²Zero Doctoral Centre Manager (Aston University)
Craig Bean	Net²Zero Doctoral Centre Coordinator (Aston University)