Lead Supervisor (DoS): Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Second Supervisor: Professor Kristian Syberg
Third Supervisor: Professor Morten Birkved
Fourth Supervisor: Professor Kate Goldsworthy

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1 October 2026.

Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Microplastics are highly diverse contaminants with a wide range of environmental impacts. This studentship will target the main sources - those generated by wear of products such as tyres and textiles during use. Microplastic from these sources are both prevalent and toxic. Potential solutions, which are the focus of this PhD, require upstream measures to drive better design. 

This research is novel, timely, and highly impactful. It aligns directly with implementation of the UN global treaty to end plastic pollution and regional measures (e.g. Euro-7 regulations 2028-32). The goal is to reduce microplastic pollution from textiles and tyres by developing and evaluating comprehensive frameworks and criteria to drive safer and more sustainable design.

Research will predominantly be desk-based, including systematic reviews of microplastic shedding, circularity (sustainability), and chemical composition (safety) to create a synthesis and database of life cycle characteristics (materials, shedding behaviour, toxicity, and end-of-life management) for contrasting design options (e.g. differing yarns and weaves, chemical formulations of tyres). Supported by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and circular economy assessment, the project will encompass the entire value chain using published data and expert solicitations to develop frameworks to evaluate the essentiality, safety and sustainability of contrasting product formulations for textiles and tyres. Findings will be assessed for their broader applicability to other sectors e.g. plastics in agriculture and packaging.

The candidate will be based in the International Marine Litter Research Unit at UoP guided by Richard Thompson who is expert in microplastic pollution and supported by secondments with global experts in performance assessment (Morten Birkved), circular economy (Kristian Syberg) and circular design (Kate Goldsworthy). Training will be provided in systematic review techniques, LCA, chemical hazard analysis, circular economy frameworks, and science-to-policy translation.

We seek a highly motivated individual capable of working across disciplines to address this global challenge. A strong first degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, life cycle assessment, product design, ecotoxicology, material science) is essential. A relevant postgraduate qualification and/or experience in textile or transportation sectors would be advantageous.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentships are supported for 3.5 years and include full Home or International tuition fees plus a stipend at the 2026/27 UKRI rate (to be confirmed; compare the 2025/26 UKRI rate of £20,780 per annum). The last 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period. The studentships will only fully fund applicants with relevant qualifications. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights, etc.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS .

Please also see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College. Applications will not be considered if information is missing.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the deadline, with interviews likely to take place in the second half of March. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.