Are you passionate about tackling climate change and eager to contribute to industrial decarbonisation? Join an exciting PhD project at Cranfield University, in collaboration with Immaterial, where you’ll develop and optimize cutting-edge structured monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs) for effective carbon capture.
- Institution: Cranfield University
- Primary supervisor: Dr Ali Nabavi
- Industry supervisor: Dr Amir Farmahini (Process Systems Engineering Team Lead, Immaterial)
- Conducted in collaboration with Immaterial
- Subject requirements: First-class or upper second-class degree Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics or a related discipline. This project would suit applicants with experience in practical working, either in a laboratory or in an industrial setting.
- Duration of award: 4 years (full-time) up to 8 years (part-time)
- October 2026 start
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as one of the most promising carbon capture materials for advancing net-zero and industrial decarbonisation, as highlighted by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for their development. With exceptionally high surface areas, tunable pore structures and chemical versatility, MOFs enable precise control over gas adsorption and selectivity, making them highly effective for capturing and separating CO₂ from energy sector. Continued research to enhance their stability, regeneration efficiency, and integration is strengthening their practical viability, positioning MOFs as a key enabler in achieving global net-zero goals.
The project aims to develop and optimise structured monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs) for effective carbon capture from industrial gas streams. The research will focus on the design, synthesis, and characterisation of m-MOFs with tailored properties to meet the specific requirements of industrial-scale separations. Advanced modelling techniques, including dynamic process simulation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), will be used to understand adsorption performance and process design. In addition, experimental work will involve comprehensive characterisation of m-MOFs based reactors followed by performance testing under relevant operating conditions (e.g. pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption) in the presence of moisture and other typical flue gas impurities. The outcomes will support the development of scalable, efficient carbon capture solutions aligned with industrial decarbonisation goals.
The outcomes of this project will contribute to the development of more efficient, cost-effective MOF-based carbon capture technologies, which are vital for meeting net-zero targets.
Our project partner, Immaterial is a Cambridge, UK based company which innovates further on the recent Nobel Prize winning chemistry recognition for metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The company has a proprietary technology platform to apply monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs) with engineering design solutions for multiple industrial sectors. Immaterial is aiming to reduce the financial cost of industrial decarbonisation by bringing to market bespoke advanced materials which are optimized to a specific use case, manufactured at scale through proprietary methods, and combined with novel process engineering innovation. These systems have the potential to reduce the footprint, CAPEX and OPEX of industrial decarbonisation process systems across multiple applications, making these solutions economic within the existing incentive mechanisms.
Research objectives:
- Design and conduct experiments to characterise m-MOFs.
- Develop CFD models and dynamic process simulations to support process and reactor design.
- Define research questions and plan the programme of work.
- Undertake literature reviews, conduct independent research, and report progress.
- Disseminate findings through high-impact journals, conferences, and workshops.
- Collaborate closely with the project partner, including opportunities to explore m-MOF integration at industrial scale.
You will receive specialist training through the Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero CDT which offers a unique blend of cutting-edge research, cohort-based collaboration, and industry exposure – equipping you to become a future leader.
You can also spend training time at the Immaterial site, in Cambridge.
Fees and funding
The studentship is for 4 years full-time, is fully funded with tuition fees at the UK rate covered and provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum. Additionally, £3,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc. Due to UKRI funding rules, this studentship is only available to those eligible for UK fees.
Ready to apply?
Primary supervisor Dr Ali Nabavi is available for informal discussion about this project.
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
- Start date: 28 September 2026
- Application deadline: 6 May 2026
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.