PhD: Optimising Passive Samplers for Ecological Risk

Findaphd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardiff University invites applications for a PhD project funded through the Red-ALERT CDT, with entry in September 2026. The research focuses on passive samplers as tools for environmental monitoring, comparing chemical data with bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and addressing deployment standardisation to support regulatory risk assessment.

The student will gain training in GC-MS/LC-MS analysis, field sampling of passive devices, ecotoxicology, and hydrodynamic modelling, plus coding in

Qualifications

• First Class or upper second UK honours in a relevant subject.
• Experience with environmental chemistry or ecology is desirable.
• Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.

Responsibilities

• Deploy passive samplers under varying environmental conditions.
• Compare contaminant data with bioaccumulation data from aquatic organisms.
• Calibrate passive sampling results to reflect ecological risk.

Skills

Python

R programming

GC-MS/LC-MS analysis

Education

First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree

Tools

GC-MS/LC-MS

Job description

Cardiff University invites applications for a PhD project funded through the Red-ALERT CDT, with entry in September 2026. The research focuses on passive samplers as tools for environmental monitoring, comparing chemical data with bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and addressing deployment standardisation to support regulatory risk assessment.

The student will gain training in GC-MS/LC-MS analysis, field sampling of passive devices, ecotoxicology, and hydrodynamic modelling, plus coding in