Clearing the waters: exploring the causes of poor water quality and its effects on ecology in the Thames catchment. The de Freitas Studentship within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy. Ref: 5469

Supervisors

Lead Supervisor: Dr Sarah Nelms  Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn campus, Cornwall)

Co-supervisors:  Diego Panici University of Exeter,  Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW), University of Exeter (Streatham campus, Devon)

Joe Pecorelli  and Anna Cucknell - Zoological Society of London.

Project Details

Background, Aims and Methods

As the second longest river in the UK, flowing through the country’s capital city out to the North Sea, the Thames River and Estuary is exposed to many pressures along its path. It is the busiest inland waterway, surrounded by large developments including homes for over 15 million people, two large container ports, struggling sewage infrastructure, major road networks and impacts from agriculture. Despite this, the Thames catchment is a nursery ground for many commercial fish species and home to iconic species including water voles, otters, kingfishers, eels, seahorses, sharks and seals.  These species exist due to the many and varied Thames habitats, with reed beds, freshwater wetlands, seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and native oyster reef, found along its length. However, these habitats are degraded and fragmented and with their loss we lose the biodiversity and ecosystem services these habitats provide. Much habitat restoration and recovery work is planned for freshwater, estuarine and coastal habitats across the Thames to help protect the area and its people from the impacts of climate change, but poor water quality is thought to be a major barrier to the success of these projects.

Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management plans show clear evidence that water pollution exists across the Thames catchment from source to sea. However, there is very little understanding of the source apportionment of the various pollutants and their ecological impact on estuarine habitats.  This PhD project would examine the key sources of pollution and the resulting ecological impacts (e.g. algal mats smothering protected seagrass habitat, weakened root systems in saltmarsh plants, habitat degradation by plastic debris), the impact of current mitigation strategies (such as nutrient neutrality and nutrient vulnerable zones) and the investigation of alternative approaches and the knock-on social impacts, such as loss of income and reduced wellbeing.

In order to ensure co-creation of the project with the partners, the student will be supported in developing the project structure in the early stages. Examples of research techniques that could be used include water and sediment sampling, eDNA, biodiversity assessments, stable isotope analysis, citizen science, hydrological numerical modelling, and stakeholder surveys.

The project is supervised by a multidisciplinary team from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) and Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW), and the Zoological Society of London. The successful candidate will be based at the CEC on the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus in Cornwall with regular visits to the London area for fieldwork and knowledge exchange with colleagues at ZSL and other local partners.

The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This programme offering 4-year fully-funded PhD studentships to support Black British researchers has been established by philanthropic donations from University of Exeter alumni - you can read more about the donors here. 

About the scholarship scheme

The aim of these scholarships is to help improve access and participation in PhD study for talented Black British students.  Each studentship offers a comprehensive funding and support package designed to enable students to succeed in their PhD programme and beyond, including:

• 4 years of stipend funding at the UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26)
• Funding for tuition fees the Home fee rate
• A research training support grant (up to £4,000 per annum for project costs)
• The opportunity to undertake a placement of up to 6 months (in total) during the 4-year PhD programme (with access to additional funding of up to £2,500 to support placement costs).
• Access to mentoring support (specific to this studentship scheme)

Studentships can be held on a full-time or a part-time basis (part-time awards will be made on a pro-rate basis).  Students on this scheme are expected to register on campus-based PhD programmes (i.e. distance learning is not supported).

Eligibility

The aim of this scholarship scheme is to improve participation by Black British students in PhD study at the University of Exeter. Applicants must meet the following entry criteria:

• Have UK nationality and have ‘Home’ tuition fee status (your fee status will be assessed when you apply)
• Identify as belonging to any Black ethnic group:

o Black African
o Black Caribbean
o Black Other
o Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
o Mixed – White and Black African
o Other mixed background which includes Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other

• Applicants should not be already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Exeter.

Entry requirements

Applicants will typically hold (or be expected to attain) a First Class or Upper Second Class degree in a related subject. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree.  Applicants with a minimum of Upper Second Class degree and significant relevant non-academic experience are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply for this project you will need to click on the 'Apply now' button above.  

In addition to completing the application form, you will need to upload the documents detailed below.  Please note our preferred format is PDF, each file named with your surname and the name of the document, eg. “Smith – CV.pdf”, “Smith – Cover Letter.pdf”, “Smith – Transcript.pdf”.

• A personal statement (200-500 words): this should cover: why you are interested in doing a PhD research project, how it will support your career aspirations, and how your experience has prepared you for doing a PhD
• Your CV (no more than 2 pages)
• Evidence of prior qualifications: transcripts or degree certificate
• Two references

Reference Information

You must arrange for two referees to provide references for you, one of whom must be from your current/most recent higher education institution.  Please ask your referees to email their references to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk from their institutional email accounts by the application deadline. We cannot accept references from personal/private email accounts, unless it is a scanned document on institutional headed paper and signed by the referee).

Application deadline and timelines for next steps 

The closing date for submission of applications is midday (UK time) on Wednesday June 11th 2025.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified of the outcome by 20 June 2025.  Interviews will be held 7-11 July 2025 actual date to be confirmed.

Contact:

Project specific enquiries should be directed to Dr Sarah Nelms or Dr Diego Panici.  

If you have any questions relating to the application process please contact pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk.

Summary