PhD studentships
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) works with a number of University partners to train tomorrow’s leaders in Environmental Science. These collaborations, known as Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs), offer postgraduate studentships and training across the full range of multidisciplinary environments, helping to enrich the student experience. Each DTP will create a strong and active community of students that are able – and encouraged – to integrate, work, and learn together. Students will receive in-depth, advanced research training, as well as training in the professional and transferable skills essential in today’s economy.
PML is a multidisciplinary, internationally renowned, strategic marine research centre. We have a number of prestigious and exciting opportunities for outstanding students wishing to conduct PhD projects in our areas of research excellence: Marine Ecology and Society, Marine Processes and Observations and Environmental Intelligence
Quick links:
Pollution in A Warming World: Emerging Contaminants and Heatwaves in Estuarine Ecosystems
Supervisors
Dr Matthew Cole, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Dr Michael Collins, University of Plymouth
Dr Becca Millard, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Professor Pennie Lindeque, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
This exciting, multidisciplinary PhD offers the opportunity to use cutting-edge ecotoxicology and molecular approaches to investigate how climate change and emerging pollutants interact to impact estuarine ecosystems.
This PhD will investigate how emerging pollutants affect ecologically important estuarine invertebrates under ambient and extreme temperatures. Working closely with the supervisory team, you will co-develop laboratory-based multi-stressor ecotoxicology experiments to assess pollutant responses of estuarine invertebrates exposed to emerging contaminants (e.g. tyre-wear particles, pharmaceuticals) and heatwaves. The project will combine controlled exposure studies with molecular and organism-level assessments to identify mechanisms of toxicity and ecological consequences. Research outputs will improve understanding of risks posed by pollutants to estuarine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a changing climate.
Training
Based at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth, you will receive training in experimental design, ecotoxicology, molecular biology, data analysis, bioinformatics, statistics and science communication. You will have access to world-class laboratory facilities and benefit from the extensive training, networking and professional development opportunities provided through the host institutes and the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership.
The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
Click here for more information and to apply
