PhD Studentship: Determining the Dietary Accumulation and Toxicity of Nanoplastics and Co-contaminants (Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials) in Fish

DoS: Dr Nathaniel Clark ([email protected] )

2nd Supervisor: Dr Miguel Gomez-Gonzalez ([email protected] )

third Supervisor: Dr Lee Hutt ([email protected] )

4th Supervisor: Professor Richard Thompson ([email protected] )

Functions are invited for a four-year PhD studentship. The studentship will begin on 01 October 2024.

Venture Description

Plastic air pollution represents a worldwide environmental problem. The bigger plastic particles can degrade to supply/launch nanoplastics (NPs) that may enter the tissues of aquatic organisms. For instance, as much as 700,000 nanoplastics can move throughout the intestine of fish in 4 hours and as soon as within the physique, these NPs can enter the interior organs. Nevertheless, linking accumulation with the consequences on the intestine epithelium, and the mobile storage and remobilization (i.e., excretion) following persistent publicity, stays unexplored.

Contaminants resembling NPs don’t happen within the surroundings in isolation and the presence of different particles will have an effect on their bioavailability and toxicity. Lately, engineered nanomaterial (ENM) manufacturing has elevated, together with zinc oxide (ZnO) as a result of its advantageous properties (e.g., piezoelectricity, semiconducting, antibacterial) and these ZnO particles can work together with bigger microplastics via floor sorption. Nevertheless, the interplay of ZnO with smaller scale plastic air pollution (i.e., NPs), and the following consequence for animal publicity (e.g., uptake and toxicity) stays unclear.

This challenge will perceive the dietary publicity of NPs and ZnO co-exposure in fish via characterising the dynamics of NP and ZnO interactions in synthetic intestine fluids (abdomen and intestines) and assessing the persistent toxicity and accumulation to fish utilizing in vitro and in vivo methodologies.

The time for this challenge can be cut up throughout the College of Plymouth (50%) and Diamond Gentle Supply (50%). Please be aware that the profitable applicant can be primarily based 2 years in every establishment with no full-remote working allowed.

Eligibility

Candidates ought to have a primary or higher second-class honours diploma in an applicable topic or a related Masters qualification. Data of both Biology, Toxicology or Chemistry laboratory working processes and security procedures is a should, together with expertise in the right way to write/comply with Threat Assessments and (Bio)COSHH varieties.   

Regrettably, for this studentship, we’re unable to just accept worldwide college students as a result of the required immigration visa licences should not in place. Residents of Eire can train Widespread Journey Space  rights (and don’t require a scholar visa to check in the UK).

The studentship is supported for 4 years and contains full House tuition charges plus a stipend of £18,110 each year 2023/24 charge (2024/25 charge TBC). The studentship will solely absolutely fund these candidates who’re eligible for House charges with related {qualifications}.

For those who want to focus on this challenge additional informally, please contact Dr Nathaniel Clark at [email protected] .

To use for this place please click on the Apply button above.

Please clearly state the title of the DoS and studentship challenge that you’re making use of for on the highest of your private assertion.

Please see right here for a listing of supporting paperwork to add along with your software.

For extra info on the admissions course of usually, please go to our How one can Apply for a Analysis Diploma webpage or contact the Doctoral School .

The cut-off date for purposes on 01 Might 2024 at 15.00. Shortlisted candidates can be invited for interview within the week commencing the 28 Might 2024.

The studentship will solely absolutely fund these candidates who’re eligible for House charges with related {qualifications}.