NERC RED-ALERT CDT: Water-Based Epidemiology for One Health interventions: understanding risks from hazardous chemicals to reduce environmental and public health impacts.

About the Project

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the Red-ALERT CDT, hosted by the University of Bath for entry in September 2026.

Overview of the Research:

Chemical pollution threatens human and environmental health globally. Recent reports indicate that humanity has already likely left the safe operating space within planetary boundaries for man-made chemicals. Immediate action is needed to provide the evidence needed to trigger policy, technological and societal interventions. This studentship will deliver a water-based epidemiology framework that captures the heterogeneity of multi-chemical exposure in urban environments for One Health interventions.

The project will:

1. Using Bath’s Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early Warning Systems Mass Spectrometry Facility, undertake analysis of water samples collected in RED ALERT Living Labs to provide catchment level chemical identity profiles. This chemical listing will include chemicals in household (e.g. personal care products, pharmaceuticals, plastics), industrial and agricultural products (pesticides, flame retardants, PFASs, phthalates, bisphenols, biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons etc.).
2. Establish spatiotemporal trends in chemical profiles across RED ALERT Living Labs.
3. Undertake data triangulation across environmental, health and socioeconomic and demographic datasets to understand commonalities and differences in RED ALERT Global Living Lab catchments and identify exposed vulnerable populations for further exploration in the context of One Health actions.
4. Undertake risk assessment, estimate environmental and public health burden from selected hazardous chemical groups and identify pollution hotspots for evidence driven interventions.

RED ALERT Global Living Labs have different pressures in their catchments: (1) Cam/Wellow (England) affected by biodiversity loss from urban/agricultural, (2) Conwy (Wales) with recreational waters, beaches and shellfisheries affected by wastewater and agricultural pollution, (3) Taff/Ely (Wales) with a largely urban system with mining/industrial legacy, (4) Exe/Tamar/Dart (England) with wastewater, agriculture, chemical use, biodiversity loss, shellfisheries and human health impacts, (5) The Eerste River (South Africa) with different pressures including informal settlements and agricultural impacts.

Training:

The student will receive training in a range of modern analytical and bioanalytical techniques including state-of-the-art chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry techniques.

Interdisciplinarity:

They will join an interdisciplinary team at the University of Bath, Exeter, Cardiff and Bangor with critical research expertise in the areas of bioanalysis , ecotoxicology and chemical risk, with excellent research infrastructure. Experience of academic/government/industrial research (e.g. potential secondment with UKHSA, Wessex Water or Environment Agency, Stellenbosch University in South Africa), interdisciplinary and international working and development of legislation and water, public health policy, will provide an exciting opportunity for further professional development.

Project Keywords: One Health, chemicals pollution, hazardous chemicals, public health, environment, water, mass spectrometry, water-based epidemiology

Industrial Partner: Wessex Water – Megan Robertson and Dr John Bagnall; UK HSA – Dr Matt Wade; Environment Agency – Dr Emma Pemberton, Stellenbosch University/South Africa - Prof Gideon Wolfaardt (Global Living Lab)

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject - e.g. biomedical engineering, electronic engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

Enquiries and Applications:

Formal applications should be submitted via the Red-ALERT CDT online application form prior to the closing date of this advert.