Project title: Integration of GAs-Splitting hydrogen production pathway into the UK economy: cross-sectoral view encompassing the solid carbon co-product (IGASH)
Primary supervisor: Professor Nazmiye Ozkan (Cranfield University)
Second supervisor: Professor Stuart Scott (University of Cambridge)
Collaborative partner(s): HiiROC Ltd, Adam Carthy
University: Cranfield University
CAM-DTP Partner Institution: University of Cambridge
SENSS Theme: Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
Degree structure: The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the minimum duration of a SENSS-funded studentship will be 3.5 years: this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years: this covers a Masters degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory 3-month placement.
Project background
Are you interested in developing a state-of-the-art macroeconomic model to analyse the economic and environmental impacts of scaling up of a novel gas splitting technology? How could this impact UK’s transition to net zero whilst supporting green growth?
IGASH sits at the frontier of hydrogen transitions and social-science modelling. The project involves the analysis of a thermal plasma electrolysis gas splitting process as a technology that co-produces low-carbon hydrogen and quality-differentiated solid carbon. The novelty is conceptual and empirical: it embeds engineering yields and grade formation into a computable general equilibrium (CGE) framework to quantify market formation, policy-mix effectiveness, and distributional/regional impacts. The project includes a placement supported by HiiROC, communicating the latest research and policy initiatives and providing valuable work experience and contacts within the sector. Moreover, you will join the Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center, comprising around 50 researchers from 18 institutions across the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, with opportunities for research exchanges.
Project aims and objectives
The aim of this project is to develop a co-product-constrained CGE model of gas splitting process that integrates engineering yields and expert-elicited parameters. You will evaluate relevant UK policies to quantify macro, sectoral, and regional distributional impacts under uncertainty, and analyse their implications for future policies on hydrogen and solid carbon markets.
Training opportunities
A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, HiiROC, SENSS and CAM DTPs. There are opportunities for research exchanges to Canada and Australia.
Studentship details
Studentships are advertised as being between +3.5 and +4.5-year (1+3.5, 2+2.5, +4.5) awards. The standard length of an ESRC-funded studentship is +3.5. This includes the standard +3 PhD, plus an +0.25 (one term) for the integrated placement which you must take as part of your studentship, and a further additional +0.25 (one term) to enable you to undertake training relevant to your research project (including career progression). All studentships are offered on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The studentship award covers your university fees up to the home rate and provides you with a stipend (£20,780 in 2025/2026). You will also be able to apply for additional funding via the SENSS Research Training Support Grant to support your training needs.
Residential eligibility
All applicants, whether Home or International, are eligible for a full award, that is, you will receive a stipend (salary) and you will not have to pay any university tuition fees during your studentship award.
Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills
Applicants should have at least a second-class UK honours degree or equivalent. This project would suit students from a range of backgrounds including economics, mathematics, or related quantitative field wishing to undertake social science research. Enquiries are also welcome from potential applicants with relevant experience in the energy sectors.
How to apply for this studentship
To be considered for this funding, you must first apply to SENSS for this collaborative studentship. Please read the SENSS-CAM Studentship Application Guidance Notes before completing our online application form. The Guidance Notes are available.
If your application is successful, you will need to make a separate application for a place to study at Cranfield University, your host University. You will be provided with a link with information on how to make your application to Cranfield once you have been offered a SENSS studentship.
Deadline: The deadline for submitting your application for SENSS funding on HEIApply is 9:00AM GMT on Wednesday 7 January 2026. No extensions to this deadline will be permitted..
Enquiries:
For enquiries about this research project, please email Prof Nazmiye Ozkan, Cranfield University (n.ozkan@cranfield.ac.uk) or Prof Stuart Scott, University of Cambridge (sas37@cam.ac.uk).
For enquiries related to your eligibility for this studentship, and/or the application process, please email: Jessica Puttick (j.puttick@cranfield.ac.uk) or Catriona Rolfe (c.rolfe@cranfield.ac.uk)
About SENSS
The South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) is a consortium formed of eight leading UK universities, all of which are engaged in cutting-edge social science research and training. The SENSS consortium members are:
City St George’s, University of London
Cranfield University
Goldsmiths, University of London
Middlesex University
University of East Anglia
University of Essex (the co-ordinating institution)
University of Lincoln
University of Roehampton
SENSS offers a world-class inter-disciplinary PhD research and training environment. It is committed to supporting its internationally recognised researchers and to producing the next generation of talented social scientists. SENSS has been accredited as a prestigious Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the national body which funds research and training in economic and social issues.
We pride ourselves on our rigorous doctoral training programme, making the most of our members’ diverse specialisms and offering our students a wide array of subject specific as well as advanced training opportunities. SENSS offers high-calibre supervision, driven by our members’ emphasis on formal training and research culture.
For further information about SENSS, please visit the SENSS website
About CAM-DTP
The CAM Doctoral Training Partnership [DTP] is a consortium between Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) and the University of Cambridge (UoC).
Its collective environment of excellent research and impact is an ideal complement for the interdisciplinary training of diverse social scientists. CAM-DTP PhD students will join a hub for regional change addressing key societal challenges and the DTP is keen to attract talented doctoral researchers from a wide range of backgrounds. www.cam-dtp.ac.uk