Forever in a moment: Seaweed-based nanomaterials for ecotoxin remediation

Lead Supervisor (DoS): Dr Lee Durndell

Second Supervisor: Professor Karen Wilson

Third Supervisor: Dr Thierry Tonon

Fourth Supervisor: Dr Leonardo Gomez

Fifth Supervisor: Dr James Chapman

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1 October 2025.

This project is one of nine topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining three following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics. Browse all available topics

Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Global demand for safe, clean drinking water is growing, yet an estimated 10–15% of the world's population still lacks access to this vital resource. While high-throughput sewage and wastewater treatments enable water recirculation in urban areas, they often fail to remove all contaminants, especially complex organic pollutants like polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These "forever chemicals," known for their stability and resistance to degradation, persist in the environment, posing significant risks to marine life. PFAS contamination is a growing concern due to its cancer links in humans and its detrimental effect on marine ecosystems, where it disrupts phytoplankton growth and photosynthesis, leading to bioaccumulation in aquatic food chains.

This project provides a low-carbon solution by developing ultra-selective functionalised magnetic nanomaterials, derived from naturally abundant seaweed, with tuneable surface properties and pore architectures, designed to remove pollutants such as PFAS and 6-PPD, from contaminated wastewater by photodegradation. By understanding the role of nanomaterial surface and bulk properties in pollutant capture/destruction, this research seeks to revolutionise next-generation, water decontamination technologies.

The candidate will synthesise and characterise nanomaterials with highly controlled surface properties, using state-of-the-art analytical techniques (X-ray diffraction, Infrared Spectroscopy, N2 porosimetry, Electron Microscopy, adsorption-desorption measurements by Inverse Gas Chromatography) to correlate nanomaterial structure-function characteristics with depollution performance. Collaboration with industrial partners (SageTech Medical, Algapelago, Additive Earth) and academic partners (University of York, Griffith University) will support the deployment of these next-generation solutions.

Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team with internationally recognised expertise across the fields of biology, analytical chemistry, chemometrics, materials science, and engineering. Through our suite of state-of-the-art chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation, you will become an expert in developing and testing next-generation ultra-selective nanomaterials for pollutant capture and removal. Training will take place at the University of Plymouth and York’s “Centre for Novel Agricultural Products,” with dedicated space for synthesis, characterisation, and testing. Supported by our industry partners for environmental testing, and research visits to UKRI-funded facilities, you'll acquire the interdisciplinary skills needed to become a leading voice in environmental science.

Ideal candidates will have a first or upper second class honours degree in environmental / physical sciences or a relevant Masters qualification, and a strong interest in analytical and materials science.

Non-native English speakers must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 5.5 in any element) or equivalent.

The studentships are supported for 3.5 years and include full home or international tuition fees plus a stipend at the 2025/26 rate (to be confirmed; compare the 2024/25 UKRI rate of £19,237 per annum). The last 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period. The studentships will only fully fund applicants with relevant qualifications.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Lee Durndell .

Shortlisted candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the deadline, with interviews likely to take place in the second half of March. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.