PhD Studentship: Monitoring River Pollution and River Health Using New Technologies

Supervisor(s): Prof. Darren Reynolds and Dr Robin Thorn

Duration: 3.5 years 

Funding Information: The studentship will be fully funded by UWE, Bristol and will cover all PhD fees, research equipment and consumables and a tax-free stipend which is currently £19,237 per annum for 2024/2025. Please note that this studentship funds home (UK) student fees only.

Closing date: 5 January 2025

Commencement date: 1 April 2025 

About the studentship

Rivers are important ecosystems and healthy rivers play a vital role in the movement of water, the cycling of nutrients and for biodiversity resilience. Despite this, many of the worlds rivers are not healthy and are subject to frequent contamination from agriculture and sewage releases. We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD researcher to work in collaboration with an exciting new project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council to develop new sensing technological approaches for monitoring river health. Please see this short video called Giving Our Rivers a Voice for more background information.

You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team (including microbiologists, engineers, environmental scientists, and data scientists) developing new water sensing technologies (optical/biological) for the monitoring and detection of sewage contamination in river catchments. You will have access to a range of scientific laboratory facilities that support the development of cutting-edge technology. Rivers need your help, come and join us on this thrilling journey!

You will work closely with collaborators from The Rivers Trust and Chelsea Technologies and conduct extensive field-testing of the technology at existing water catchments. You will be expected to disseminate the technology and results by preparing journal papers and by presenting at relevant national and international conferences.

Person Specification

Applicants must have at least a 2:1 or equivalent degree in a relevant science subject, such as Biological, Environmental or Chemical Sciences (or relevant engineering discipline). Ideally you will have or be working towards a postgraduate, research-based qualification (or have equivalent experience). 

Knowledge and Experience

Knowledge of aquatic ecology, water quality sampling & analysis and/or microbiological testing is desirable. Some experience of microbiological techniques, including bacterial culturing, would be an advantage. 

Skills & Competencies

You should have a good practical background including relevant laboratory and field skills. You should be able to work and communicate efficiently with other researchers, including supervisors, students, technicians, and postdoctoral researchers who may have very different backgrounds to your own.

How to apply

Please submit your application online via the above ‘Apply’ button. When prompted use the reference number 2425-APRIL-CHSS01

Further information

We are committed to equality, diversity & inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity. Interviews will take place in the week commencing 20^th January 2025. If you have not heard from us by 13^th of January 2025, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Professor Darren Reynolds on 0117 328 2563 or email: darren.reynolds@uwe.ac.uk.

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