PhD Studentship: Effects of conventional and alternative plastics on the health and functioning of benthic ecosystems. NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2026 Entry.

About the Partnership

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP).  The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners:  British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology,  the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.  The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:

• An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £20,780 p.a. for 2026/27) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
• Payment of university tuition fees
• The budget for project costs is £9,000 which can be used for computer, lab, and fieldwork costs necessary for you to conduct your research.
• There is also a conference budget of £2,000 and individual Training Budget of £1,000 for specialist training

Project Aims and Methods

Plastic pollution is growing exponentially and is a planetary boundary threat. One proposed solution is the development of bioplastics derived from organic waste that degrade more rapidly than fossil-fuel–based polymers. Third-generation bioplastics offer potential to reduce environmental impacts and carbon footprints, but their fate and behaviour in marine environments are largely unknown. Traditional plastics and bioplastics may also contribute carbon inputs into marine ecosystems, particularly coastal areas which are sinks for plastic litter, potentially altering storage and sequestration processes. The biological and biogeochemical consequences of this carbon input remain uncertain. This PhD will combine field observations with mesocosm/aquarium-based exposure experiments at Exeter and PML to assess the impacts of traditional plastics and novel bioplastics on marine species and ecosystem functions. Specifically, it will (i) develop novel methods to detect and characterise bioplastics in sediments; and (ii) investigate how plastics influence the health and functioning of sediment-dwelling invertebrates and key ecosystem processes (e.g. nutrient cycling and carbon fluxes).  

The student will join an expert plastic research group gaining interdisciplinary training in ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry and systems thinking. The research will deliver critical insights into whether bioplastics provide a sustainable plastics alternative, or whether their environmental breakdown poses new ecological challenges. 

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: c.n.lewis@exeter.ac.uk 

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