PhD Studentship: Fluorescent Polymer Sensors for Bacteria Detection: Investigating Ecosystem Health in a Changing Climate

The impact climate change is having on the world’s ecosystems affects every one of us. Our capacity to grow food and maintain clean and safe water supplies sustainably, is dependent upon understanding how soil and water are affected by our changing weather. The EcoSENSE research cluster will develop new sensors for the accurate, sensitive and real-time monitoring of the health of water and soil systems. We will achieve this through an ambitious and exciting series of interconnected projects combining expertise in Materials Science, Chemistry, Geography and Computer Science, guided by input from key Industrial partners including MAST group Ltd and Severn Trent.

The aim of this PhD project is to develop fluorescent polymer sensors for detecting bacterial pathogens in drinking water sources. You will synthesise a diverse range of fluorescent metal-organic complexes and polymer particles with varied chemistries, and learn microbiological techniques for studying their binding to different bacteria species. This interdisciplinary project is part of a larger research cluster EcoSENSE, which aims to develop advanced multi-sensing systems to monitor ecosystem health in a changing climate.

Extreme weather events and increased precipitation are causing contamination of drinking water sources. Pathogens already present within soils are transported through rain, meaning increased rainfall makes it more likely for them to spread. Conversely, drought causes common drinking water sources to dry up meaning less-safe sources need to be accessed. These situations highlight the urgent need to develop portable and accurate sensors for detecting bacterial contamination in water reservoirs.

Widening participation

EcoSENSE are committed to widening the diversity of our PhD student cohorts. We aim to guarantee interviews for Home-award-eligible students in certain groups or areas of the UK who are under represented in higher education.

More details are in the EcoSENSE application form which you can find in the how to apply section below.

How to Apply

As part of our aim to guarantee interviews for home-awarded-eligible students in certain groups or areas of the UK who are under-represented in higher education, we require you to complete and submit the EcoSENSE Studentship Application Form 2023 in addition to the general application process highlighted below.

Funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

Studentship is for three years full time or six years part time and provides a tax-free stipend of £17,668 per annum (pro rata for the part time) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees. UK and international applicants are both eligible for this award. Please note that the studentship will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to this project.

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