PhD in Development of an Optical Sensor for Ultra-Sensitive PFAS Detection and Mechanistic Studies of Interactions with Biological Systems University of Exeter in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fees plus annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 for 3.5 years, project costs budget (£9,000), conference budget (£2,000), and individual training budget (£1,000).]

This fully funded PhD position at the University of Exeter offers an exciting opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art optical sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent environmental contaminants known as "forever chemicals." PFAS are linked to serious health effects, including cancers, immune suppression, and endocrine disruption, and their detection at extremely low concentrations is a major challenge for environmental science and public health.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team led by Professor Frank Vollmer, a pioneer in single-molecule optical sensing, and Dr Garry Codling, an expert in PFAS and water industry partnerships. The project is part of the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP), which provides broad training in earth and environmental sciences and access to a network of leading universities and research organizations.

Research will focus on engineering selective surface chemistries, advancing flow-through detection methods, and applying the sensor to mechanistic studies of PFAS interactions with proteins and membranes. These studies will inform both environmental monitoring strategies and our understanding of PFAS toxicity at the molecular level. The project offers hands-on training in nanophotonics, surface chemistry, and bioanalytical methods, with opportunities to collaborate with industrial partners such as Southwest Water.

Funding includes a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for 3.5 years, payment of home tuition fees, a project costs budget (£9,000), a conference budget (£2,000), and an individual training budget (£1,000). The GW4+ DTP partnership also provides access to specialist training and networking opportunities across the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University, and the University of Exeter, as well as research organizations like the British Antarctic Survey and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Applicants should have a strong background in optics, photonics, or related physical sciences, and a keen interest in environmental applications. The position is ideal for candidates seeking to advance their expertise in sensor development, environmental monitoring, and interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, physics, and biology. For further information about the research project, contact Professor Vollmer at [email protected]. Application details and eligibility criteria are available via the University of Exeter funding portal.

The application deadline is 8 December 2025. Early inquiries and applications are encouraged.