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source

University of Sheffield

NERC ECOSOLUTIONS Doctoral Focal Award

PhD in Next-Generation Sensors for Understanding and Managing Chemical Pollution University of Sheffield in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Chemistry

Funding

Full scholarship for 45 months covering tuition fees and providing an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels (£21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year, TBC in 2027/2028).

Deadline

Nov 30, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Sheffield

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Keywords

Chemistry
Environmental Science
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science
Biology
Analytical Chemistry
Hydrology
Optical Physics
Nanoscience
Air Pollution
Physics

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About this position

Project 13 at the University of Sheffield is a fully funded PhD within the NERC-funded ECOSOLUTIONS Doctoral Focal Award. The project is titled Next-Generation Sensors for Understanding and Managing Chemical Pollution and is supervised by Dr Matthew Hobbs, Prof A Boxall, and Dr Erin Corbett.

This PhD sits at the intersection of analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, environmental science, electronic engineering, nanotechnology, optical physics, materials science, and pollution monitoring. The research aims to develop next-generation sensing technologies for identifying and quantifying chemicals in the environment, enabling in situ, continuous, real-time monitoring of chemical pollution.

The project will focus on thin-film sensors made from emerging luminescent nanomaterials and paired with highly sensitive photodetectors. Dissolved copper is the main case study, with the goal of detecting concentrations below 1 µg/L in liquid samples. Sensor performance will be tested from laboratory-synthesised matrices through to real-world freshwater samples, including possible case studies such as highway runoff, wastewater treatment plants, and legacy mining areas.

Funding is described as a full scholarship covering tuition fees and providing an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels for 45 months. The broader ECOSOLUTIONS programme also includes training, workshops, a three-month secondment with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and opportunities to attend international conferences.

Eligibility requires at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. The post highlights essential experience in laboratory work, data analysis and/or modelling, and materials processing, fabrication, and characterisation. The programme welcomes applicants from around the world, though funding rules mean some places are limited to UK/Home candidates, with very limited international places on Sheffield-led projects.

To apply or learn more, visit the ECOSOLUTIONS website. Project-specific enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Funding details

Full scholarship for 45 months covering tuition fees and providing an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels (£21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year, TBC in 2027/2028).

What's required

Applicants need at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Essential skills include laboratory skills, data analysis and/or modelling, and materials processing, fabrication and characterisation. The programme welcomes students from across the world, but funding eligibility is restricted for some projects to UK/Home candidates, with very limited places for international students on Sheffield-led projects.

How to apply

Visit the ECOSOLUTIONS website for full application instructions and project details. Use the project-specific enquiry contact if you have questions before applying.

More information can be found here

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