The effects of PFAS forever chemicals on species in wetland species across climate gradients

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking a PhD student to study the effects of PFAS 'forever chemicals' on wetland species across various climate gradients. The project involves fieldwork and laboratory experiments in different climates, focusing on biodiversity impacts and metabolic changes in aquatic organisms. Supervised by experts, the student will gain experience in environmental sampling, PFAS analysis, and ecotoxicology. This position requires in-person work across Europe.
This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details please visit: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/Project outlinePer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (also known as “forever chemicals”) are widespread and very persistent pollutants. Because of their mobility, PFAS are expected to reach wetland environments. In these biodiverse habitats, the toxicity of PFAS on invertebrates has a high probability to differ with temperature, given that both stressors can modify the metabolic rate of organisms. To understand these complex and interacting effects, this project will assess how PFAS exposure in ponds/ditches affects biodiversity under the climate conditions in the Mediterranean, North/South UK, and Arctic. The study will collate known information on pond and stream pollution and will sample locations nationally and internationally for PFAS. Species living in these habitats will be studied to see how these chemicals modify feeding, affect metabolism, change growth and reproduction and have population effects under different temperature extremes.Detailed project plan and student experienceThis project will assess how the presence and effects of PFAS in ponds and ditches, vary across different climatic regions (Mediterranean, Northern/Southern UK, Arctic). It will examine the effects of PFAS and study how temperature and associated stressors linked to hydrological conditions modify the effects of these persistent pollutants. The student will systematically review existing data on PFAS in small waterbodies. Fieldwork will be conducted across Europe to sample ponds/ditches in different climates for PFAS measurement. In parallel, laboratory experiments will be conducted to assess how PFAS are absorbed by aquatic organisms (e.g., Daphnia, algal biofilms), modify feeding or photosynthesis, influence metabolic rates, affect growth and reproduction and cause population-level effects under different temperature conditions.The student will gain experience in environmental sampling, PFAS analysis, and ecotoxicology, along with skills in data analysis, physiological assessment and modelling, FAIR data management, digital science, and scientific communication. The work will be supervised by experts in PFAS ecotoxicology (Prof David Spurgeon, Dr Emily Eagles) of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (www.ceh.ac.uk) (located at Wallingford, Oxfordshire) - an Independent Charitable Environmental Science Research Institute sponsored by NERC (the ultimate funder of the PhD program). The student will also be affiliated to, and be able to use the facilities of, Heriot Watt University (the institute that will award their PhD degree) and the University of York (for PFAS chemistry). The student will also work with researchers at a stakeholder collaborator (The Rivers Trust) and with an ecotoxicologist experienced in working in extreme environments (Prof Nico Van Den Brink, Wageningen University). To find out more about this project, we invite you to a meet the supervisor on 30th April 2025, Wednesday between 2 - 3 pm using MS Teams Link – Join the meeting nowEligibilityThis project is available to home students and overseas students able to cover the additional international fees. Applicants typically should have a first or upper second-class degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject, relevant experience may be advantageous, but is not essential.We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose.Essential Skills:Field-based skillsLaboratory skillsData analysisIt is noted that you don’t need significant experience of all three of these skills. However, these are the areas where you must believe you have demonstrated some potential and that you wish to further develop as they are core to the project.How to ApplyTo apply, please visit the ECOWILD website: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/how-to-apply/For project specific enquiries, please contact dasp@ceh.ac.ukFor general enquiries or technical support with your application, please contact ecowild@hw.ac.ukTimelinesThe closing date for applications is 5pm GMT Monday 12th May, and applicants must be available to start in October 2025.This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees for home students and provide an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels for the 44 months duration of the project. International students can apply, however, there they will need to cover the additional international fees over the UK fee amount.