PhD Studentship: Nanoplastic-phytoplankton interactions under ocean warming and their multi-stressor effects University of Plymouth in United Kingdom

[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 of these pollutants. The project addresses the urgent environmental issue of increasing sea surface temperatures and the prevalence of nano-scale plastic particles in the ocean, which have significant implications for marine life and ecosystem function. The research will use marine phytoplankton as a model to study bioaccumulation of nanoplastics and their impact on oceanic carbon cycling in a future warmed ocean. The methodology involves synthesizing and characterizing palladium-doped plastic nanoparticles (Pd NPPs), conducting laboratory exposures on model phytoplankton species under various warming scenarios, and employing advanced techniques such as single cell- and single particle-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS) to track biouptake. Proteomic analysis will be used to examine the mechanisms of nanoplastic toxicity towards phytoplankton. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in nanoparticle synthesis, mass spectrometry data analysis, algal culturing, physiological monitoring, and molecular biology. The project is supported by a supervisory team including Dr Craig Dedman-Jones (DoS), Professor Jamie Lead, Dr Adam Lewis, and Dr Andrew Turner, with additional support from CEFAS. The studentship is part of the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership and includes access to the University of Plymouth Researcher Development Programme, offering a range of professional and transferable skills. Applicants should hold a first or upper second-class honours degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a relevant Masters qualification. Experience in materials characterisation, algal culturing, or mass spectrometry is advantageous. Non-native English speakers must meet the programme's language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component). The studentship covers tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26, 2026/27 rate TBC), and research costs for 3.5 years. The application deadline is 7 January 2026, and the project will commence on 1 October 2026. Interested candidates should apply via the University of Plymouth ARIES Doctoral Training webpage and may contact Dr Craig Dedman-Jones for informal discussions.