PhD Studentship: Plastic Pollution as an Anthropogenic Threat to Human Health: The Impact of Nano- and Microplastics Accumulation on Skeletal Muscle Function

4 weeks ago


Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

Award Summary: Fully funded PhD (100% tuition fees and annual stipend of £18,622) starting September 2024, full time for 3-3.5 years fixed term.

Project Overview: This PhD aims to examine the impact of nano- and microplastic accumulation on skeletal muscle function and will provide important insight into the threat of plastic pollution to human health. Recent evidence suggests that microplastics can accumulate in biological tissues, including skeletal muscle. However, the impact of plastic particle accumulation on physiological and functional capacity of skeletal muscle is largely unknown and has resulted in a call to action from experts in the field to better understand the impact of plastic pollution on human health.

Based on world-leading expertise in evaluating isolated skeletal muscle function and utilising equipment exclusive to Coventry University, this PhD will establish the effect of nano- and microplastic accumulation on skeletal muscle function. This is especially significant given that impaired muscle function is an independent marker of disease and all-cause mortality. Specifically, the PhD will examine the effects of plastic particle size and dose on skeletal muscle function, explore if detrimental effects can be reversed, and establish if an interaction exists between plastic particles and other known pollutants suggested to affect skeletal muscle health. This interdisciplinary research will therefore provide necessary data to support robust human health risk assessment of the impact of plastic particle pollution.

Professional Development: The PhD will be hosted within the Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Science where we understand the importance of creating an effective research environment to foster growth, development, and a culture of research excellence. We are committed to nurturing postgraduate research students, equipping them for successful careers. We offer structured opportunities to develop and lead ground-breaking research projects, support innovation, and cultivate active participation in academic communities. An important element of the research environment is the exclusive access to cutting-edge equipment within our state-of-the-art research facilities that help to empower postgraduate research students to conduct experiments that push the boundaries of knowledge, fostering innovation and excellence.

The successful applicant will benefit from supervision from an interdisciplinary team with international reputation/expertise in the fate of microparticles and in molecular responses and measurement of contractile function in skeletal muscle.

Entry criteria for applicants to PhD

  • A bachelor's (honours) degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum classification of 2:1 and a minimum mark of 60% in the project element (or equivalent), or an equivalent award from an overseas institution.
    PLUS
  • The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years
  • An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.

For further details please visit:

All applications require a covering letter and a 2000-word supporting statement is required showing how the applicant's expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Queries: For further details contact Dr Jason Tallis ).

Fully funded with stipend



  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team to work on a collaborative project.G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and are the therapeutic target for ~40% of clinically-prescribed drugs. Understanding their structure & function at the molecular level is of...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Eligibility: Funding is available to eligible home fee status and UK domicile EU students.Start date: Ongoing or as soon as possible Project OverviewPlastic packaging materials play a crucial role in today's society, offering advantages such as versatility, hygiene, safety, lightweight properties, and, notably, a low carbon footprint when compared to...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    There is an opportunity for a highly-motivated PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team to investigate G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).GPCRs are the therapeutic target for ~40% of clinically-prescribed drugs and are of critical inter-est to the pharmaceutical industry with respect to future drug discovery. They also form the larg-est family of...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding availability: The studentship is normally only available to home (UK) students, but there is a possibility to extend it to an EU/international student.)Start date: October 2024 (some flexibility)Duration: 3.5 yearsDeadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled. Final deadline 1st May 2024.Project...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Project Page – CentreProject OverviewWe are seeking exceptional candidates with a passion for interdisciplinary research in the fields of Physics, Engineering, and Materia Science for a fully funded 3.5-year PhD research project.This exciting research project aims to develop beam-steering programmable metasurfaces capable of controlling electromagnetic...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Solid-Supported Chalcogen Bonding CatalysisA 3.5 year fully-funded PhD position is available in the group of Dr Mark Greenhalgh at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with GoldenKeys High-Tech Materials Co. Ltd., China. The position will remain open until filled, so please get in touch at your earliest convenience.Background: Chalcogen bonding is an...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Human activity recognition (HAR) is a compelling topic in the fields of ubiquitous computing, with numerous applications including human behaviour understanding, smart healthcare, human-computer-interaction (HCI), and more. Among various sensing technologies, Radio Frequency (RF) signals such as WiFi can be applied in a less intrusive manner, offering...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    Sept 2024 projectAbout the ProjectAt Coventry University, the Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems (FCS) is pushing back research boundaries and delivering real-world solutions to complex fundamental and applied challenges.Project detailsFCS brings together almost 60 leading applied mathematicians, statistical physicists, experimentalists,...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD studentship on 'Post-Hurricane Damage and Recovery: A remote assessment of agricultural resilience in the Caribbean'. Project BackgroundHurricanes cause widespread damage to agriculture, resulting in vegetation loss and decreased productivity. The Caribbean region, specifically, is affected by three major...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Supervisors: Dr. Ferran Brosa Planella, Dr. Radu Cimpeanu, Prof. Louis PiperSummary:Manufacturing not only has a significant impact on battery performance and lifetime, but also on cost and environmental impact. A key process (yet not a well-studied one) is the so-called filling, in which a liquid electrolyte is incorporated into the battery, occupying the...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding Source: IndustryEligibility: Available to eligible Home fee status and UK domicile EU studentsStart Date: OngoingCourse: MPhil/PhDProject OverviewRubbers are ubiquitous materials in modern society and have played important roles across industries. As the key component to connecting the vehicle to the road, the performance of the tyre directly...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Supervisors: Dr. Ravindra Desai (Physics), Dr Dimitri Veras (Physics)Summary:Extreme Space Weather is driven by large-scale eruptions from the Sun called coronal mass ejections. Upon arrival at the Earth, these produce amazing auroral displays but also endanger satellites and disrupt communication signals. Accurately modelling magnetosphere-atmosphere energy...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    Join the Frontier of Cardiovascular HealthcareCardiovascular diseases can cause severe clinical events and have consisted a leading cause mortality globally. The coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD) are two major mechanisms of myocardial ischemia. Currently, the accurate diagnosis of CMVD depends on invasive...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding Source: Lord Bhattacharyya FundEligibly: Home fee status and UK domicile EU students.Start Date: Ongoing or as soon as possible Project OverviewThis is a challenging and unique PhD opportunity for a student with a good materials, physics and/or engineering background, interested in applying their knowledge to the rapidly growing and multidisciplinary...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding Source: EPSRC (ICASE)Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land RoverStipend: Standard PhD at UKRI rates: £18,622Eligibly: Available to eligible Home fee status and UK domicile EU studentsStart Date: ASAPProject OverviewSignificant advances have been made understanding the performance of lithium-ion batteries. However, less consideration has been given to the...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding Source: EPSRC (ICASE)Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land RoverStipend: Standard PhD at UKRI rates: £18,622Eligibly: Available to eligible Home fee status and UK domicile EU studentsStart Date: ASAPProject OverviewWMG and Jaguar Land Rover have been researching battery safety for over 10 years. This includes the creation of novel and repeatable methods of...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Coventry University Full time

    The arts and antiquities markets involve a wide range of complex actors or stakeholders. This makes these markets vulnerable to a variety of risks, including tax crimes, money laundering, and integrity risks. It is estimated that art crime is globally the third largest criminal activity after drug trafficking and arms trading.The challenges of complying with...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Sponsor Company: DSTLStart Date: OngoingProject Page – CentreProject OverviewThis PhD research proposal aims to design, fabricate, and characterise proprioceptive materials integrated with active feedback systems for real-time shape optimisation in defence applications. Using 3D printing technologies, the project focuses on the development of a specific...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom Michael Page Human Resources Full time

    An Interim HR Talent and Resourcing Manager is needed to drive the recruitment strategy and talent management in the client's Coventry office. The successful candidate will have a strong background in HR and recruitment, with a keen eye for spotting top talent.Client DetailsOur client is a significant player in the Business Services sector. With a workforce...


  • Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom University of Warwick Full time

    Funding Source: Lord Bhattacharya AwardStart Date:2nd October 2023 Project Page – CentreProject OverviewThe performance of battery materials is dictated by the stability, efficiency and functionality of their interfaces, i.e. the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) at the anode and oxygen-induced cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) at cathode. Attempts to...