Microplastic pollution is ubiquitous, however quantifying this emergent pollutant remains a significant challenge due to lack of standardised techniques and the wide variation in polymer and fibre type, size and shape. Although microplastics have been predominantly detected in marine and freshwater samples and sediments, consideration of terrestrial environments, and terrestrial processes governing microplastic presence, disintegration and transfer within these environments, remains low. This is a significant knowledge gap because of the important transfer of particles between terrestrial and aquatic environments in the ‘Plastic Cycle’ (Horton and Dixon 2018).
This PhD will use a variety of methods drawn from different disciplines (e.g. soil science, ecology, palaecology, geochemistry, archaeology) to detect and quantify microplastics and microfibres in a range of terrestrial samples (such as urban soils; farmland; peat cores; historic landfill sites) with the aim to explore conditions that determine particle residence time and movement e.g. environmental and historical context; soil texture. There is growing interest in the historical context of microplastic deposition and its use as a potential stratigraphic marker for the Anthropocene (Bancone et al., 2020). Linked to this, there will also be scope to explore how bioturbation and ingestion by soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworms (Hodson et al., 2017; Prendergast-Miller et al., 2019) affects plastic and fibre particle retention and mixing in environmental samples. This will allow the student to develop cross-disciplinary skills in sample analyses.
The knowledge generated through this work will be highly valuable in developing robust methods for microplastic quantification and understanding the fate of polymer particles and fibres within terrestrial environments. This will enable the student to contribute to the development of microplastic pollution risk factors and policies in sustainable land management and pollution control and mitigation.
Academic Enquiries
This project is supervised by Dr Miranda Prendergast-Miller. For informal queries, please contact [Email Address Removed]. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions.
Funding Information
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2022/23 full-time study this is £17,668 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis over 5 years (0.6 FTE, stipend £10,600 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).
Please also see further advice below of additional costs that may apply to international applicants.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
- Applicants cannot apply for this funding if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- have settled status, or
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.
- Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
- If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
- Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the university. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
How to Apply
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
For applications to be considered for interview, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. RDF23/…).
Deadline for applications: 27 January 2023
Start date of course: 1 October 2023 tbc
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our doctoral students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers.
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