River Pollutant Source Apportionment Using Water Fingerprinting One Health Frameworks University of Bath in United Kingdom

Project Overview: This PhD studentship at the University of Bath addresses the urgent issue of chemical pollution in rivers, which poses significant risks to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health. Persistent pollutants such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals (including PFAS) are widespread, with no English river currently in good chemical health. The project aims to provide critical evidence to inform policy, technological, and societal interventions for river health protection.

Research Focus: The successful candidate will use advanced chemical fingerprinting, statistical modelling, and geospatial data to identify and quantify the sources of river pollutants—whether industrial, agricultural, domestic, or natural. The research will deliver a One Health framework to capture the complexity of multi-chemical exposures in urban river environments, supporting the development of evidence-based regulatory frameworks for public and environmental health.

Methodology: The project leverages Bath’s Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems and its state-of-the-art Mass Spectrometry Facility. Techniques include liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, and targeted/non-targeted mass spectrometry (QQQ, QTOF-HRMS, MRT). The student will fingerprint river water samples, establish spatiotemporal chemical trends, conduct risk assessments, and identify pollution hotspots for One Health interventions.

Collaboration & Training: The student will work alongside a postdoctoral researcher and data engineer, contributing to the Cam and Wellow One Health digital platform—an integrated decision-support system for collaborative analysis of human and environmental health data. The project is supported by Wessex Water and partners including Bath and East Somerset Council and Bristol Avon Rivers Trust. Training will cover modern analytical techniques, data handling, interdisciplinary research, and policy development, with opportunities for academic, government, and industrial collaboration.

Funding & Eligibility: The studentship is funded for 4 years, covering tuition fees, a stipend (£20,780 p/a in 2025/6), and a training support budget. It is open to Home and exceptional International students; however, international applicants must cover relocation, visa, and healthcare surcharge costs. Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or high Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A master’s qualification is advantageous. Non-UK applicants must meet English language requirements by the deadline.

Application Process: Formal applications must be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemistry. In the 'Funding your studies' section, select 'University of Bath URSA' as the studentship. In the 'Your PhD project' section, quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name. Early application is recommended as the position may close before the advertised deadline. Informal enquiries can be directed to Prof Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: The University of Bath values diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups. Applicants with circumstances affecting educational attainment are invited to include a short paragraph in their personal statement.

References & Further Reading: The project builds on recent research in environmental chemistry, water-based epidemiology, and risk assessment, with key references provided in the position description.

Learn More: For full details and to apply, visit the FindAPhD project page.