PhD Opportunity – Understanding selective concentrations of antimicrobials in different microbial populations

🎓NERC GW4+ DTP PhD Studentship, University of Exeter, UKCEH

Start: September 2026

Location: UKCEH


🔬 What You’ll Research

  • How low-level antibiotic pollution drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Bayesian modelling of MIC data
  • Evolution experiments with diverse microbial communities
  • Improving environmental “safe limit” regulations

🏛️ Partners & Impact

CASE Partner: Welsh Government

  • ✔ 3-month policy placement
  • ✔ Co-supervision
  • ✔ Direct route to regulatory influence

Lead Supervisor: Dr Isobel Stanton, UKCEH, Environmental Pressure and Responses

Additional Supervisors Dr Aimee Murray, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter; Dominic Brass, UKCEH, Biodiversity and Land Use; Dr Bethan Purse, UKCEH, Biodiversity and Land Use; Adriana Kiss-Davis, Strategic Evidence Unit, Welsh Government; Thomaz Andrade, Natural Resources Wales


💰 Funding Package (3.5 years)

  • Tax-free stipend: ~£20,780/year
  • Full tuition fees covered
  • £9,000 research & training budget
  • £2,000 conference allowance
  • £1,000 personal development fund

🎯 Who Should Apply?

Students passionate about:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • AMR research
  • Data science & modelling
  • Environmental policy & regulation
  • Interdisciplinary science

Why This PhD?

  • Tackle a major global health challenge
  • Develop advanced modelling + lab skills
  • Work across academia, government, and policy
  • Join the collaborative GW4+ DTP community

For more information and to apply, please visit: NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship | University of Exeter

The closing date for applications is Midnight Thursday 8th of January 2026. 

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