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 Exeter for entry in September 2025.
Overview of the Research:
Currently, quantification of dissolved metal pollutants in watercourses is hugely variable in convenience, speed and data quality. For many metals, accurate results are only achieved by slow and labour-intensive sampling and lab-based analysis. To address this unmet need, this project will develop sensing devices that can remain submerged in water and provide frequent, automated measurements of specific metal cation concentrations. Sensors will be based upon lab-synthesised organic molecules that undergo changes in colour and charge upon exposure to a specific metal, immobilised on a support material to prevent them being washed away, facilitating near-continual analytical measurements.
This is a multidisciplinary project that will apply synthetic organic chemistry, polymer/surface chemistry, metal coordination chemistry and miniaturised device engineering to construct a sensor device employing spectroscopic, electronic or piezoelectric analysis, in collaboration with our industrial partner ClearWater Sensors.
Collaboration and interaction with aquatic ecophysiologists and ecotoxicologists, as well as biosensor researchers and environmental/water organisations and the new Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW; https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/creww/) will facilitate application of this technology in environmental monitoring of metal pollution in freshwater environments. However, the foundation of this project is the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel sensor molecules, hence the successful applicant will require expertise in, and enthusiasm for, synthetic organic chemistry.
Project Aims:
• Design, synthesise and evaluate solution-based, light-reversible sensors for environmentally significant metal pollutants.
• Develop methodology for immobilisation of sensor molecules onto a support material (e.g., polymer, glass, gold, graphene) and establish the optimum analytical technique with which to monitor metal binding.
• Fabricate a sensor device incorporating a metal-responsive surface and miniaturised analytical equipment.
• Evaluate sensor performance (sensitivity, selectivity, robustness) in model and real freshwater environments.
Project Keywords: Organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, sensors, metal binding, environmental monitoring.
Industrial Partner:
Clearwater Sensors Ltd is an industrial partner on this project.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in Chemistry, or a degree in a related subject with considerable Chemistry content.
Evidence of aptitude and enthusiasm for organic synthesis; experience of organic chemistry research in a research lab environment;
Essential:
A degree in Chemistry, or a degree in a related subject with considerable Chemistry content.
• Evidence of aptitude and enthusiasm for organic synthesis.
• Experience of organic chemistry research in a research lab environment.
• Either evidence of a multidisciplinary background and mindset; or a willingness to embrace cross-discipline research and an ability to develop skills in unfamiliar research areas.
• Effective written and oral scientific communication skills, appropriate both to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and in both formal and informal settings.
• Imaginative and innovative approach to research.
• Ability to conduct lab-based research confidently, safely (with adherence to current health and safety legislation), and with growing independence and astute time management.
• Able to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks for the exchange of information and collaboration.
Desired:
• Experience in the following areas of chemistry: sensors, photoswitches, metal coordination chemistry, binding studies, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry.
• Experience in fabrication and/or application of small-scale analytical devices.
• A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
*Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement prior to a formal offer being made.
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.
Funding Notes
Candidates may be considered for a NERC Red-ALERT studentship tenable for 3.5 years. Funding covers tuition fees, a stipend (£19,237 p/a in 2024/5) and access to a training support budget.
