PhD Research Studentships

Methane emissions from China: measuring, modelling and mitigating

Supervisors:	Paul BALCOMBE and Xi JIANG
Apply by:	31 January 2024
Start in:	September (Semester 1)

Description

In November 2023 China announced its methane reduction plan, signalling its intention alongside 150 nations who have committed to the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas and comes from many sources including coal, oil and gas, agriculture and biofuels, amongst others. Reducing methane emissions represents one of the quickest ways to alleviate global warming, but our understanding of emission sources and mitigation options is regionally varying and is currently lacking.

This project aims to improve knowledge of how to reduce emissions by assessing key methane sources through multi-method data collection e.g. satellites, currently available data and to conduct on-the-ground measurements at strategic sites. You will then conduct a techno-economic-environmental national assessment of methane mitigation opportunities. The study will include emissions measurement and modelling, and cost/engineering modelling to appraise strategies to reduce and suggest technologies, operations and policies that will reduce emissions.

In Paul Balcombe's research group, you are joining a team of experts in methane emissions with a range of equipment to directly measure industrial site emissions, and a unique set of expertise in emissions data manipulation to get a better understanding of how to reduce emissions. 

Funding

Funded by: China Scholarship Council
Candidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
• Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Paul BALCOMBE or Xi JIANG.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Chemical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):

Apply Now »

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-568" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Keywords:

Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Technologies, Environmental Engineering, Gas Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Analysis, Probability, Statistics