The UK has a large number of metal-contaminated sites that are a legacy of its industrial past. Determining the risks that these sites pose to ecosystems requires an understanding of how metals accumulate in soil organisms. Traditionally this has been done by measuring the bulk concentration of metals present in soils and biota. However, this misses crucial details about the specific form and location of metals in organisms. State-of-the-art technology now allows the assessment of the precise form and location of metals within the internal structures of organisms.
This PhD project will develop and utilise a novel correlative micro-spectroscopic approach to access the risks of metal contamination to earthworms and nematodes. It will involve laboratory studies at the new UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy and Spectroscopy (CoreMiS) at the UKCEH with complementary studies at the Diamond Light Source UK and fieldwork at some metal contaminated sites. The fieldwork will include field monitoring of earthworm/nematode numbers in contaminated sites and evaluation of the spatial multi-metal distribution and chemical speciation within their biomass.
Overall, the project will help reveal the dynamic biochemical processes that determine the handling and sub-lethal effects of metals in organisms, allowing the understanding of how internal chemical speciation affects metal toxicity and bioaccumulation in food chains. The student will receive training in advanced micro-spectroscopy involving the use of Scanning electron microscopy, Raman imaging spectroscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Synchrotron X-ray atomic absorption microscopy and spectroscopy. These skills are crucial in developing modern approaches for studying cellular levels impacts of metals in organisms.
This project is suited for a student with a background in Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental chemistry or a related subject.
Supervisor: Dr Gbotemi Adediran
Organisation: Natural England
The ECORISC CDT
This project is one of 21 projects being advertised by the NERC-funded ECORISC (Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Towards Sustainable Chemical Use) Centre for Doctoral Training programme. Funding will be provided for 3 years and 10 months. During this time you will work on your research project but will also receive unique and outstanding training in pollution science and transferable skills.
Over the first two years of the 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. The formal training programme will be complemented by yearly residential challenge events 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 ecorisc [Email Address Removed].
Eligibility and Application process
The studentships are open to highly motivated UK and international/EU 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 on the ECORISC PhD Studentships web page. Applications should be submitted before 17:00 (British Summer Time) on Friday 9th December 2022. You will be notified of the outcome of the process by 17:00 Thursday 22nd December 2022.
Click to apply: https://cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ecorisc-cdt-student-application-202223
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.
ECORISC open afternoon
We are running an online ‘open afternoon’ for you to learn more about the CDT and to ask questions on the programme or the application process. This event will run from 14:00-16:00 GMT on Wednesday 16th November 2022 and booking details can be found on the ECORISC website.
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