Novel analytical methods to detect particulate pollution

About the Project

A PhD studentship is available in the group of Prof Colin Campbell, Dr Maya Al Sid Cheikh and Professor Mark Miller, University of Edinburgh; School of Chemistry and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence.

Project Summary:

Air pollution is responsible for over 8 million deaths worldwide each year, with the majority linked to cardiovascular disease. While the harmful effects of diesel exhaust particles are well established, emerging pollutants such as brake and tyre wear particles and airborne micro-/nano-plastics represent a growing and poorly understood health risk. There is an urgent need to determine whether these particles accumulate in the body and contribute directly to cardiovascular disease.

This PhD project will investigate how established and emerging airborne particles accumulate in cardiovascular tissues and other organs, and how they influence disease processes such as atherosclerosis. Building on a successful collaboration between the supervisors, the student will use advanced analytical techniques (e.g., Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, Stimulated Raman imaging, and novel particle labelling approaches) alongside in vitro models and human tissue samples to characterise particle properties, track their distribution in the body, and determine their biological effects.

The project offers multidisciplinary training across cardiovascular biology, toxicology, and analytical chemistry, within an internationally recognised research environment. The findings will contribute to understanding the health risks of modern air pollution and may inform future public health policy and air quality interventions.

Applying

In the first instance, the initial application of cover letter and CV should be directed to:

Professor Colin Campbell: colin.campbell@ed.ac.uk

The position will remain open until filled. A closing date may be added at a later date.

The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or withdraw any of the advertised scholarships, without further notice.

IMPORTANT

Before Submitting your cover letter and CV, please complete the online School of Chemistry Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Form for 26/27 Entry.

The form will automatically generate a unique ‘Receipt Number’ that you must include in your cover letter.

Funding Notes

The studentship is fully funded for 42 months by the University of Edinburgh and covers tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, for 2026-27 this is £21,805 per annum, for a candidate satisfying EPSRC residency criteria.

Funding comes jointly from the University of Edinburgh’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence and School of Chemistry, as part of an initiative to promote interdisciplinary research between biomedical disciplines and the physical sciences.