WIRe CDT PhD in Environmental Engineering: Developing an easy-to-use device for rapid onsite detection of sewage in water

Award Summary

Fully funded studentship with a tax-free annual living allowance of £24,000, a research training grant + UKRI fees paid.

Overview

There is a need for an easy-to-use testing device to detect the presence of human faecal matter rapidly and sensitively in water. Potential applications include identifying misconnections in surface water drainage networks, monitoring bathing waters, and discriminating the impacts of storm overflows/wastewater treatment works versus other pollution sources on the water environment. In a previous proof-of-concept, Newcastle University researchers have detected a genetic marker for human sewage in river water within 3 hours of sampling by completing an onsite, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with small equipment items in the back of a van. This project will refine and simplify the related procedures with the aim of developing a hand-held and easy-to-use device. This will involve optimization of procedures and reagents and further miniaturization of equipment items that are needed for the sample preparation, PCR reaction, and PCR product detection, using advance methods such as microfluidics and 3D printing. If successful, the project will deliver a substantial advancement of the state-of-the-art in microbial source tracking to protect the freshwater and marine environment.

Number Of Awards: 1

Start Date: September 2024

Award Duration: 4 years

Application Closing Date: 21 June 2024

Sponsor: EPSRC & WRC Group + Northumbrian Water Limited

Supervisors: Prof David Werner at Newcastle University and Dr Amy Jones & Daisy Allen of WRc Group

Eligibility Criteria

A First Meng/MSc in a relevant subject or First or upper second class UG degree (2:1). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

Under the 30% UKRI international recruitment policy, Newcastle will pay the international fee difference for International applicants (including EU) awarded a WIRe CDT studentship at Newcastle (limited to 1 PhD student per academic year).

Further information will be provided at application stage. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:  

·        search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code:8209F 

·        Select ‘PhD Water Infrastructure & Resilience (WIRe)’ as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section:  

·        a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form  

·        the studentship code WIRE2401 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  

·        when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal – select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.  

Contact Details

justine.easten@ncl.ac.uk