Advancing Circular Economy Practices in the UK Water Sector Using the CVORR Framework - EPSRC IDLA STUDENTSHIP

This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to co-develop and pilot a systems-based, interdisciplinary framework for circularity assessment in the water sector.

Working closely with Anglian Water, the student will use the Complex Value Optimisation for Resource Recovery (CVORR) methodology to design a practical decision-support tool for identifying, quantifying, and advancing circular interventions across wastewater treatment operations. CVORR incorporates environmental, economic, technical, infrastructural, policy, and social dimensions to enable systemic and context-sensitive decision-making, offering a consistent, objective, and transparent framework for evaluating circularity performance. Most crucially, it facilitates the identification and evaluation of resource recovery opportunities throughout the water/wastewater value chain, allowing for more informed and robust strategies toward sustainability and circularity.

 

This project is co funded by EPSRC and Anglian Water 

Eligibility

Skills/Experience Required:

Process systems engineering, wastewater treatment, material and energy flow analysis, integrated data modelling, systems dynamics modelling, circular economy, sustainability assessment performance, decision-support tool design

 

 

How to apply

  • Applicants are expected to hold first or upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. A Postgraduate Masters degree is not required but may be an advantage; (Engineering (any) and or Physical sciences)
  • If appropriate, applicants must demonstrate English language skills to an overall score of IELTS 6.5 (minimum score of 6.0 in all sections) or equivalent;
  • All applicants are asked to submit their up-to-date CV, personal statement (300 to 500 words), degree certificates and transcripts, evidence of English language skills (if appropriate) and contact details for two referees, one of which must be academic but not from the Principal Supervisor.

Please send all documents combined as one pdf with the title of the project included by 30th September 2025 to studentships@brunel.ac.uk

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Eleni Iacovidou - My research focuses on sustainable solutions for resource and waste management, with a strong emphasis on circular economy strategies and sustainability assessment. I use a systems thinking approach (CVORR) to understand environmental challenges holistically and to identify points where practical interventions can generate the greatest value and impact. By considering not only environmental and engineering aspects but also social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, my work highlights the multidimensional value of resource recovery systems. This approach helps create solutions that are technically sound, socially inclusive, and supportive of a faster transition to sustainability. My research is primarily desktop-based and centres on five key areas: Plastic and plastic packaging systems – assessing sustainable pathways to circularity Textiles management – advancing prevention and reuse in a sustainable society Food waste management – addressing challenges for sustainable consumption and recovery Construction components – promoting reuse and modular structures Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – repair, reuse, and circular strategies In addition, I examine the effects of technological and regulatory lock-ins, the role of stakeholders in sustainability transitions, and the impacts of informal recycling systems on society and the environment. I am also exploring how waste infrastructure can be tailored to area-specific contexts and how smart technologies can enable product and component tracking across the value chain. The ultimate goal of my research is to provide systemic and integrated sustainability assessments that support evidence-based policymaking, guide industry innovation, and foster academic collaboration. By applying systems thinking, I aim to reduce material leakage, extend product lifespans, and enhance resource efficiency, shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.
Theodoros Giakoumis - I am an environmental scientist with background in natural resources management, environmental technology and policy. My research focuses on applying systems thinking to address complex environmental problems, formulating evidence-based methodologies to enhance decision-making and facilitate the effective implementation of environmental policies. Before joining Brunel, I was a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London working in the NERC funded project “Defining the AMR Burden of Antimicrobial Manufacturing Waste in Puducherry and Chennai” (2019 - 2023) and in several Anglian Water funded projects (2018 - 2023) on the operation of the company’s Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), the contaminants and risks associated with their discharges at receiving waters. During my doctoral research (2015 - 2019), I investigated strategies to adapt EU water policy and management to minimize the ecological and socio-economic consequences of water scarcity and ongoing global change. This research was conducted as part of the GLOBAQUA project, funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Related Research Group(s)

Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering

Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering - The Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering Group addresses the challenges of water scarcity, aging water infrastructures and flood management in the UK and worldwide. The group also concentrates on providing research solutions for recycling water and offering sustainable water resources for domestic and industrial uses.