About the Project
The University of Bath is inviting applications for the following funded PhD project commencing in January 2027 under the supervision of Prof Christopher Pudney.
Project Overview
The proliferation of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs) in schools and social media supply networks presents a critical public health challenge for adolescents. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to pioneer a hybrid approach to harm reduction, connecting the covert digital infrastructure of drug supply networks with their physical impact on schools and communities.
The Research Challenge
Traditionally, drug market research has treated online supply chains and offline consumption as separate domains. However, recent evidence suggests a highly structured, cross-platform ecosystem where social media serves as a ‘shop window’ for recruitment, funnelling users to encrypted private channels for transactions. This digital architecture may contribute to greater harms, such as the high prevalence of SCs sold as “THC liquid” on social media, and the proliferation of e-cigarettes containing SCs seized from English schools.
This project addresses the urgent need to understand how these digital drug markets translate into adolescent harm.
Methodological Approach
The successful candidate will employ a novel, multi-modal methodology that triangulates chemical, structural, and social data:
- Digital Network Analysis: Utilising Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Graph Neural Networks (GNN) to map the topology of supply chains on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. This involves identifying high-influence "Super-Bridges"—critical nodes that connect wholesale manufacturers to retail clusters.
- Chemical & Physical Analysis: Analysing drug seizure data from schools to track the prevalence of SCs in e-liquids. This is includes using mass spectrometry and novel methods based on fluorescence detection developed in our lab. Key indicators, such as the correlation between unlabelled bottles and SC content, will be used to translate digital and physical findings.
- Intervention Simulation: Community disruption simulations will be used to estimate the potential efficacy of targeting specific network nodes (e.g., influencers) versus random account removal. This will be used to inform policies for improving adolescent health.
Impact and Policy Relevance
This research is directly aligned with the emerging regulatory landscape, specifically the UK Online Safety Act 2023. By moving beyond simple notice-and-takedown strategies, this project aims to provide platforms and policymakers with a data-driven framework for systemic risk assessment.
The goal is to shift from reactive monitoring to predictive intelligence, designing interventions that disrupt the "funnelling" of vulnerable young people from public social media platforms into illicit markets. This project will not only advance criminological, psychological, and chemical sciences but also deliver tangible strategies to protect young people from the harms of mis-sold synthetic drugs.
The project will be primarily based in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath, and the student will join the Centre for Drug Use Research (CDUR) and the NIHR funded Bath Mental Health Research Group (MHRG). Co-supervisors are based in Psychology (Bath), Social and Policy Sciences (Bath), and Pharmacy (Bristol). Additionally, there will be opportunities for training and networking with our partner institutions at Bristol and Exeter.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in an analytical science discipline. A relevant masters’ degree or appropriate research training is desirable, but not essential.
- Desirable to have foundational knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative research design.
- Interest in analytical technology, analysis and population health.
- Essential to have interest in adolescent mental health.
- Essential to have interest in drug use/addiction research.
- Desirable to be familiar with and committed to open science practices.
Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.
Enquiries and Applications
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Prof Christopher Pudney, c.r.pudney@bath.ac.uk.
Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biochemistry prior to the closing date of this advert.
IMPORTANT: When completing the application form:
- In the Funding your studies section, select ‘Other‘ as the studentship for which you are applying, specifying ‘Mental Health Research Group’ in the space below.
- In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.
- Ensure that you upload to your application (in addition to the required academic documents) a personal statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining your motivation, skills, experiences related to the research area and your career plan.
Failure to complete these steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.
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.
Funding Notes
Students applying for this project will be considered for a fully funded 3-year studentship comprising payment of tuition fees at the 'Home' rate, a doctoral stipend (£21,805 per annum, 2026/27 rate) and access to funds for research expenses.
This studentship is open to those that qualify for 'Home' fees only. You will likely need to hold UK or Irish citizenship, EU (Pre-)Settled status in the UK, or another form of indefinite leave to be eligible for Home fees. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
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