PhD Studentship: PhD Opportunity Title Evaluating bathing water quality indicators as proxies for antimicrobial resistance-implications for public health risk assessments. 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

This collaborative project will investigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bathing waters, focusing on relationships between AMR markers, metagenomic endpoints, and conventional microbial indicators used for water quality classification – Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. While faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) are central to regulatory frameworks, their ability to reflect AMR-related risks to public health is uncertain. The core science question is whether these indicators are adequate proxies for AMR presence and transmission in recreational environments, or if they overlook critical resistance dynamics. The project will use molecular microbiology and bioinformatics to compare traditional indicators with metagenomic data, assessing the validity of current monitoring practices and identifying gaps in risk assessment. The Doctoral Researcher will influence the research direction, sampling design, analytical method selection, and interpretation of complex datasets.  

They will receive training in environmental metagenomics, AMR surveillance, and data analysis, supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team and project partners with expertise in public health, environmental microbiology and regulation. The strength of this project lies in its collaborative framework, combining research with industry and policy relevance. Partnerships with environmental regulators and water industry will ensure findings are impactful and aligned with national and international efforts to address AMR in aquatic environments. 

Project CASE partner:

Wessex Water will offer a placement of at least 3 months, giving the student hands-on experience within the water industry.  They will also provide opportunities for applied research, access to real-world data, and engagement with industry experts and support to ensure the student benefits from practical insights and professional development.

Project Collaborative Partner

The Environment Agency will offer guidance, support and advice for the Doctoral Researcher in policy and regulation relevance, and some help with access to data or guidance with site selection.

Useful recruitment links:  

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: holtip@ceh.ac.uk 

This Project will be hosted by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) but you will need to apply to the University of Exeter as the registered University who will be awarding the PhD. 

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