PhD Studentship in Aquatic Toxicology: The Impacts of Pharmaceuticals on Aquatic Animals

The School of Biological Sciences is delighted to offer a 3 year full time, 6 year part time studentship looking at the impacts of pharmaceuticals on aquatic animals.

It is widely acknowledged that the influx of pharmaceutical compounds into the aquatic environment is a cause for significant concern with many implicated as disrupting key endocrine systems. Early development, growth and regenerative processes of many organisms can be affected and inhibition causes developmental arrest and a variety of teratogenic effects. Entry of these compounds into the aquatic environment is mainly through sewage discharges, with current treatment methods failing to remove these persistent chemicals. Chronic exposure is, therefore, likely to occur in coastal habitats. This study will use two polychaetes (Nereis virens and Nereis diversicolor) as representative benthic species. Both species are ecologically and economically important and are well studied ecotoxicological models. A variety of biomarkers and endpoints will be used to investigate the effects on larvae and the process of regeneration in adults.

Candidates must have (or expect to have) at least a 2.1 honours degree in marine biology or a related subject. The student will be based at the Institute of Marine Sciences and supervised by Dr G. Watson and Dr A. Ford.

Potential applicants should send a CV, covering letter and postgraduate application form (download from: http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/howtoapply/) to [Email Address Removed].