PhD Studentship: Array Based Multi-Analyte Sensing: Investigating Ecosystem Health in a Changing Climate

The impact that climate change is having on the world’s ecosystems affects every one of us. Our capacity to grow food, to maintain clean and safe water supplies, and our ability to do this in a way that is sustainable, is dependent upon our understanding of 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.

We have developed a patented technology that enables the encapsulation of luminescent probes for the detection of anions into crosslinked hydrogels. The current technology focuses on single probes and analytes, however, multiple analytes and complex mixtures of components are key features of environmental samples, which provide challenges for detection and quantification that often require sophisticated and costly instrumentation.

To address this challenge of multiple analyte detection, there is a need for array-based sensors that enable rapid, sensitive and low-cost monitoring of multiple analytes in environmental samples (e.g. water, soil). An array approach functions in a similar manner to a human nose or tongue, where relatively weak binding of an analyte to a range of probes leads to a fingerprint response pattern unique to that analyte.

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.

The 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 Home 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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