University of Edinburgh

Biochar is increasingly deployed as a negative‑emission technology and as a soil amendment, yet carbon accounting and certification often rely on bulk proxies that do not capture how biochar surface chemistry evolves during real soil ageing. This PhD will combine experimental characterisation of fresh and soil‑aged biochars with atomistic model development and molecular dynamics simulations to determine how evolving functionality controls carbon permanence, interactions with dissolved organic matter and mineral surfaces, and the implications for high‑integrity biochar carbon removal credits (and longer‑term soil performance).

The project is interdisciplinary and will suit candidates interested in environmental geochemistry/soils and molecular‑scale processes at interfaces, with training across modelling and data analysis (and exposure to industrial R&D and MRV/carbon‑market contexts via the partner placement).

Eligibility (important): this is funded through EPSRC, and therefore, under the funding rules, this studentship is available to UK Home‑fee candidates only (international‑fee applicants are not eligible).

For informal enquiries and to apply email Dr Valentina Erastova (valentina.erastova@ed.ac.uk) with a brief cover letter, CV incl. of grades, and contact details for two referees.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Anticipated start is Sep/Oct 2026.