ReNU+ is a fully funded PhD programme. 100% fees are covered for four years and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). An additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. Find out more about this via the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.
Expand the accordions below for details of projects open for applications.
Northumbria University project (open to Home ONLY) - apply by 13 October 2025
You will be contacted about the outcome of your application by the University you applied to but you may find some useful information on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Northumbria University, Faculty of Science and Environment
Application Deadline: Monday 13th October 2025, 11:59pm
Start date: Academic year 2025/6
Project Reference: ReNU+C25/SE/MPEE/Allahham
This funded PhD Project is open to Home fee applicants only
Project Details
Northumbrian Water is developing innovative hydrogen solutions as part of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future. This PhD will explore hydrogen production opportunities at key Northumbrian Water sites, considering technical feasibility, economic viability, and regulatory considerations. The research will generate insights to inform business planning, investment strategies, and sustainability goals.
As the UK accelerates its hydrogen deployment, the role of water utilities in energy system transformation is increasingly important. This project will:
• Consider how renewable energy assets might be used for hydrogen production.
• Review business models and regulatory frameworks for effective integration.
• Offer detailed insights to guide investment and policy choices.
• Help shape regional and national decarbonisation strategies.
Key Research Areas
1. Hydrogen in the UK Energy Transition
• Review hydrogen production costs, infrastructure needs, and deployment timelines.
• Develop regional hydrogen integration scenarios for the North East and South East.
• Consider the impact of hydrogen production on water resources.
2. Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Integration
• Investigate green hydrogen production at Kielder Water Reservoir using hydropower.
• Explore the feasibility of converting biogas to hydrogen at Howdon.
• Explore hydrogen integration with biomethane and carbon capture technologies.
• Review market conditions, policy incentives, and emerging regulations.
• Develop a hydrogen-based energy ecosystem aligned with Teesside’s industrial hydrogen strategy.
PhD Objectives
This research will develop pathways for hydrogen adoption within Northumbrian Water’s operations by:
• Exploring the feasibility of hydrogen production at key sites.
• Developing regional hydrogen deployment models and assessing their impact on infrastructure.
• Reviewing business models and policy mechanisms for hydrogen integration.
• Investigating the role of hydrogen in enhancing energy network resilience.
• Offering robust insights to inform Northumbrian Water’s strategic planning.
Why Apply?
This fully funded PhD offers:
• Practical experience in hydrogen energy systems, modelling, and regulatory research.
• Collaboration with Northumbrian Water, industry experts, and policymakers.
• Access to advanced research facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Contribution to the future of sustainable water-energy systems.
Academic Enquiries
This project is supervised by Dr Adib Allahham and Professor Vincent Barrioz. For informal queries, please contact adib.allahham@northumbria.ac.uk. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk
Eligibility Requirements:
• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. However, a 3 or 2:2 may be considered with relevant work experience, skills and/or expertise that is equivalent, please get in touch with the Institution Director, vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk for further info.
• Applicants cannot apply if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere. Home applicants can apply for a second PhD under a different research area.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.
To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
For further details on how to apply see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please complete the PhD application form in full, include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU+C25/…) and also:
1. Upload degree certificates, transcripts and English qualifications (if applicable).
2. Upload your CV under the ‘Experience section’. This is MANDATORY.
3. In the personal statement section, select ‘no’ and type ‘no personal statement required’ in the box.
4. Research proposal is NOT required. Upload a blank document to progress your application. Choose 'Yes' to the question ‘Are you applying for a UKRI studentship?’ and then choose ‘EPSRC ReNU Plus’.
5. Choose ‘Scholarship’ under source of funding.
6. Post submission, you need to login to the applicant portal to complete a competency assessment form.
Deadline for applications: Monday 13th October 2025, 11:59pm
Start date of course: Academic year 2025/6
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.
Funding Notes
Funded PhD Project
The studentship is available to Home only students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 full-time study this is £20,780 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE, stipend £12,468 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).
References
[1] Joseph, and el., 2025. Investment decisions in a liberalised energy market with generation and hydrogen-based vector coupling storage in Integrated Energy System: A game-theoretic model-based approach. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems
[2] Zhang, T., and el., 2025. A systematic review of modelling methods for studying the integration of hydrogen into energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
[3] Allahham, and el., 2023. Primary frequency response from hydrogen-based bidirectional vector coupling storage: modelling and demonstration using power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Frontiers in Energy Research
[4] Christy, A., and el., Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the English Water Sector: Historical Trends and Prospects for Mitigation. Available at SSRN 5357169
Learn more about completing a PhD by listening to our academics, students and industry partners discuss the benefits of a PhD qualification via some short videos on our Programmes page.
We need a supply of talented next-generation leaders who will drive getting towards Net Zero. Programs like ReNU and ReNU Plus really focus on making sure those people understand the wider context for energy, not just their individual research project, but also things like the energy system, energy policy, and also finance and economics associated with getting towards Net Zero.
Why did you choose to pursue a PhD?
"I'm a PhD scholar in Northumbria University funded by ReNU. I chose to pursue my PhD because of my passion in material science and engineering and to contribute towards the digital sustainable technologies. "
"I decided to pursue a PhD was because I really enjoyed my master's project and I realized that doing more research would probably be very interesting to me. The long answer is that I've always thought of research as one of the things I wanted to do so it made sense in terms of my future path."
Why did you choose to apply for the ReNU program specifically?
"I chose to apply in the ReNU program specifically because it focuses on the interdisciplinary research and the renewable energy. ReNU is actually part of three universities that is Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham University. So this gives us more support from various experts in the field and the state of art that we are working on."
"The ReNU training program brings in a lot of support so there's to begin with very wide lectures on what kind of problems we're facing in terms of reaching net zero or just the energy problem. There's also a lot of help with careers advice and stuff like progression."
What would you say are the benefits of being part of a cohort of students?
"The benefits for being part of the cohort of students is that it creates a collaborative environment for everyone and we all can interact with each other and this creates a good support network and exchange of ideas and research which actually helps us in our research. And secondly, with the help of this, we can have access to various labs, be it Northumbria University, be it Durham University or Newcastle University, for example, in my research I need TEM for morphological studies of the films. And it's not in Northumbria University and I'm planning to use the one that is in Durham. So it actually helps to overcome the barriers."
"Being part of a cohort is really motivating for me because I can talk about what I'm facing and find someone with similar problems or find solace in the fact that we're all stuck in the same problems but also it's more than that it's sharing experiences and ways to deal with certain problems that a normal PhD student might not be able to have."
In terms of the ReNU Plus program specifically, what would your advice be to future students who might be interested in that?
"I would highly recommend that they join the ReNU Plus program. They're going to find access to a lot of different resources within the program spanning from biology, physics, electrical engineering and chemistry and they're going to have crossovers with industry partners to find job opportunities as they go further afield."
ReNU+ welcomes and encourages applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences such as:
Find out further information at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.
Programme Duration: 4 years (Full Time). Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis (please check individual adverts for further details).
Funding: Each studentship supports a full stipend, paid for four years at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 full-time study this is £20,780 per year) and full tuition fees and a Research Training Support Grant (for travel, consumables, and further training). UK and international (including EU) candidates may apply.
If you do not hold the entry requirements but you feel you have evidence of relevant skills and expertise that is equivalent, please get in touch with both the project contact and relevant institution director.
Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.
Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the university. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
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