ECORISC Partner organisation: Bayer
Project Overview: Current standard pesticide ecotoxicity tests used for ecological risk assessments (ERA) may not be fit for purpose as the chemical exposure regimes, select species, and life stage do not fully represent the actual environmental exposures they aim to protect. Dynamic Energy Budgeting (DEB) allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the sublethal effects of pesticide exposure but requires significant data inputs in order to determine subtle ecological impacts. Under the supervision of an energetic and dynamic team of experts from academia and industry, this project aims to develop and utilise high-throughput testing methods in order to develop DEB models and see if these models can be extrapolated across a variety of species that are not included in traditional pesticide ERAs. Based at the University of York, this project also provides opportunity to train at Bayer in Monheim, Germany as well as the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, UK. The results of this project provides the opportunity to impact future regulations that ensure ERAs are protective of natural ecosystems and the services they provide.
Novelty of the Project: The automated high-throughput methods developed will allow for DEB models to be fully developed and validated. The extrapolation of the models across a variety of species offers the potential for ERAs to consider a more comprehensive accounting of ecosystem biodiversity.
Expertise that you would develop: The student will develop expertise in the development of novel methods for aquatic toxicology including the use of high-throughput technologies such as automated spheroid counters and analytical mass spectrometry. Training with the stakeholder partner, Bayer, you will develop industry level skills in ecotoxicological modelling including DEB and toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TK-TD) models through their experience in Germany.
The ECORISC CDT
This project is one of 12 projects being advertised by the NERC-funded ECORISC (Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Towards Sustainable Chemical Use) Centre for Doctoral Training programme. More information on the CDT can be found at: https://www.york.ac.uk/environment/postgraduate/ecorisc/. Funding will be provided for 3 years and 10 months. During this time you will work on your research project but will also receive a unique and outstanding training in pollution science and transferrable skills.
Over the first two years of their PhD programme, you will receive subject-specific training, in: i) ecotoxicology; ii) environmental chemistry; iii) ecology; and iv) risk assessment; and v) core skills required for an environmental specialist. Successful completion of this training will result in the award of phase 1 of the Certified Environmental Risk Assessor qualification from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. The formal training programme will be complemented by yearly residential challenge events, ECORISC annual conferences and tailored specialist skills training conducted as group and individual exercises.
ECORISC students will also be required to undertake two workplace experiences based with our business, policy and regulation, third sector and research organisation partners.
An inclusive CDT programme
Inclusivity is at the heart of the ECORISC programme. We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups and are employing a number of mechanisms, such as the possibility of part-time working, to ensure the programme is open to all. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process. If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact us at [Email Address Removed].
The studentship is open to highly motivated UK applicants with at least an upper second class Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Successful applicants will be passionate about environmental pollution science and want their science to make a difference.
To be considered for this and other PhD’s offered under the ECORISC CDT, you should initially complete a short online application form available at: https://cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ecorisc-cdt-student-application-2020212. Applications should be submitted before 1700 (British Summer Time) on 16th May. Your will be notified of the outcome of the process by 25th May.
Successful applicants, will be provided with an opportunity to meet with supervisory teams and then be invited to submit a project-specific application form which will be used to shortlist candidates for an interview.
If you have any questions on the ECORISC CDT or the application process, please contact us at [Email Address Removed].
Eligibility and Application process
The studentship is open to highly motivated UK applicants with at least an upper second class Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Successful applicants will be passionate about environmental pollution science and want their science to make a difference.
To be considered for this and other PhD’s offered under the ECORISC CDT, you should initially complete a short online application form available at: https://cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ecorisc-cdt-student-application-2020212.
Applications should be submitted before 1700 (British Summer Time) on 16th May. Your will be notified of the outcome of the process by 25th May.
Successful applicants, will be provided with an opportunity to meet with supervisory teams and then be invited to submit a project-specific application form which will be used to shortlist candidates for an interview.
If you have any questions on the ECORISC CDT or the application process, please contact us at [Email Address Removed].