Director of Studies: Dr Matthew Cole, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Second Supervisor: Dr Michael Collins
Third Supervisor: Professor Pennie Lindeque, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 01 October 2027.

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. 

Estuaries are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems on Earth, supporting biodiverse habitats, fisheries, and internationally significant bird populations. Within these transitional waters, invertebrates play critical ecological roles as biofilters, ecosystem engineers and prey for higher trophic levels. However, estuarine ecosystems face increasing pressures from climate change and pollution. 

Estuaries receive contaminants from terrestrial, freshwater and marine sources, with many pollutants accumulating in sediments where they can persist and interact with biological communities. At the same time, estuaries are also being challenged by increased frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves, driving increased organism stress and exacerbating the uptake and toxicity of pollutants. Despite growing concern, the combined effects of emerging contaminants and warming temperatures on estuarine ecosystems remain poorly understood.

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. 

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.

We seek an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a strong interest in marine ecology, environmental science and ecotoxicology. Experience in laboratory research would be advantageous, although full training will be provided.

References
The Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Feeding, Function and Fecundity in the Marine Copepod Calanus helgolandicus M Cole, P Lindeque, E Fileman, C Halsband, TS Galloway Environmental science & technology 49 (2), 1130-1137

Environmental concentrations of antifouling paint particles are toxic to sediment-dwelling invertebrates C Muller-Karanassos, W Arundel, PK Lindeque, T Vance, A Turner, M Cole Environmental Pollution 268, 115754

Gene‐to‐Population Level Responses to Multiple Stressors on the Rocky Shore, R Wilson, K Driver, J Orr, M Truebano, M Collins, M Jackson, Ecology and Evolution 16 (4), e73368

The environmental cellular stress response: the intertidal as a multistressor model, M Collins, MS Clark, M Truebano, Cell Stress and Chaperones 28 (5), 467-475

Impact of polyester and cotton microfibers on growth and sublethal biomarkers in juvenile mussels C Walkinshaw, TJ Tolhurst, PK Lindeque, RC Thompson, M Cole Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3 (1), 5

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Biological sciences; Biology; Ecology; Marine Biology; Environmental Science; Geography; Natural Science.

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. 

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27 (2027/28 TBC) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). 

A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. 

Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.

Working part-time while receiving a stipend at the University of Plymouth is generally permitted, provided it does not conflict with the terms of your funding or visa requirements. 

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Matthew Cole.

Please view 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 at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview after the deadline. 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 their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.