NERC RED-ALERT CDT: MycoAlert – Wastewater Surveillance for Community-Level Mycotoxin Exposure Risks
Project Overview:
The NERC RED-ALERT CDT: MycoAlert project at the University of Bath offers a unique opportunity to investigate the growing threat of mycotoxins in food and the environment, with a focus on public health and ecosystem safety. Mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by fungi, contaminate over 60% of cereals globally and pose significant risks including cancer, organ damage, and immune disorders. This project will correlate mycotoxin presence in crops and urban wastewaters in both the UK and South Africa, providing a comparative analysis of environmental and socio-economic drivers of mycotoxin exposure.
Research Focus:
The MycoAlert project is highly interdisciplinary, combining fungal pathology, climate-driven disease modelling, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology. The research will be conducted in two 'Living Labs'—the Cam/Wellow catchment in the UK and the Eerste River in South Africa—enabling the study of mycotoxin risks in both temperate and tropical climates. The project will inform public health policies and interventions, aiming to mitigate the real-world threat of mycotoxins in a changing world. It will also contribute to water management and ecosystem safety by assessing the impact of mycotoxins on river catchments.
Training and Supervision:
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in fungal pathology, genomics, mycotoxin analysis, epidemiological modelling, wastewater sampling, and public health policy. Training will be provided by a multidisciplinary team from the University of Bath, University of Exeter, Stellenbosch University, and industry partner Randox Food Diagnostics. Supervisors include Dr N Brown, Prof B Kasprzyk-Hordern, and Prof DB Bebber.
Funding:
Candidates may be considered for a NERC Red-ALERT studentship tenable for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees, a stipend (£20,780 per annum in 2025/6), and a training support budget.
Eligibility:
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as biomedical engineering, electronic engineering, chemistry, or biochemistry. A master’s degree is advantageous. Non-UK applicants must meet English language requirements. The University of Bath values diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.
Application Process:
Applications should be submitted via the Red-ALERT CDT online application form by January 19, 2026. For more information, visit the official project page or contact the industrial partner at [email protected].
