[Fully-funded ARIES studentship for 3.5 years, including tuition fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26, 2026/27 rate TBC), and research costs.]

This fully-funded PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth investigates the interactions between nanoplastics and marine phytoplankton under conditions of ocean warming, focusing on the multi-stressor effects that impact marine ecosystems. The project addresses the urgent environmental issue of plastic pollution, specifically the prevalence and impact of nano-scale plastic particles (nanoplastics, 1-1000 nm) in the ocean, and how these interact with rising sea temperatures and other stressors.

Phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food web and key contributors to global biogeochemical cycles, will serve as the model organisms for studying bioaccumulation of nanoplastics and their effects on oceanic carbon cycling. The research will employ advanced laboratory simulations to mimic natural conditions, using palladium-doped plastic nanoparticles (Pd NPPs) synthesized and characterized through a multi-method approach. Laboratory exposures will be conducted on model marine phytoplankton species across various ocean warming scenarios, with biouptake tracked using single cell- and single particle-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS). Proteomic analysis will further elucidate the mechanisms of nanoplastic toxicity towards phytoplankton.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in nanoparticle synthesis, materials characterization, algal culturing, physiological monitoring, molecular biology, and mass spectrometry data analysis. Professional and transferable skills development will be supported through the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership and the University of Plymouth Researcher Development Programme. Regular meetings with the supervisory team, which includes Dr Craig Dedman-Jones (lead supervisor), Professor Jamie Lead, Dr Adam Lewis, and Dr Andrew Turner (CEFAS), will provide ongoing guidance and support.

Eligibility requirements include a first or upper second-class honours degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a relevant Masters qualification. Experience in materials characterization, algal culturing, or mass spectrometry is advantageous. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the programme’s minimum English language requirements (IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each component).

The studentship is fully funded for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26, with the 2026/27 rate to be confirmed), and research costs. The project is scheduled to start on 1 October 2026. Applications must be submitted by 7 January 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Dr Craig Dedman-Jones at [email protected]. For further details and to apply, visit the University of Plymouth ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership webpage.