PhD Studentship (NERC GW4+ DTP) - Associations Between Plastic Additives Exposure and Reproductive Success in Wild Herring Gulls (September 2025 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/

Project details

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via j.blount@exeter.ac.uk

Project Aims and Methods

Accumulation and persistence of plastic in natural environments is a serious global issue; for example, around 8 million tonnes of plastic waste finds its way into the world’s oceans each year. Most research on the impacts of plastic pollution on animals has focussed on mechanical threats such as entanglement. However, plastic debris may also result in physiological harm due to plastic additives such as phthalates (plasticizers), which enhance the functionality of plastic products, but readily leach into the environment and may enter the food chain. Phthalates are of particular concern because they have the potential to accumulate in animal tissues and impair endocrine function and reproduction. We have recently discovered that eggs of herring gulls breeding in the UK contain a diverse ‘cocktail’ of phthalates.  

This PhD studentship will use our established wild gull study system to address: (1) How are individuals exposed to phthalates through their diet?; and (2) How do phthalates impact breeding success? Training opportunities will be diverse, and, depending on the student’s interests, could include GPS tracking of foraging movements, forensic diet analysis (stable isotopes, eDNA), quantification of phthalates using cutting-edge laboratory analyses, and engagement with multiple stakeholders in the scientific and regulatory sectors.  

Training

The DTP offers funding to undertake specialist training relating to the student’s specialist area of research. 

Useful links

Webpage: https://projectcgull.com/about/ 

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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