Website Cardiff University
Details
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the Red-ALERT CDT, awarded by Cardiff University , and hosted and lead supervised from UKCEH, for entry in September 2026.
Overview of the Research:
This exciting and collaborative PhD project will apply cutting-edge molecular techniques to explore the potential contribution of untreated wastewater to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organisms and key human pathogens in rivers. AMR is a major global public health threat, with bacterial resistance alone estimated to have caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019. Aquatic ecosystems increasingly act as reservoirs for resistant microbes, resistance genes, and pathogenic organisms, exacerbating the spread and impact of AMR. The PhD project will be hosted at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), Wallingford, in collaboration with Cardiff University, and our project partners Welsh Government, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and UKHSA.
Wastewater treatment plants (WwTPs) play a vital role in mitigating pollution from human activities and protecting both environmental and public health. However, untreated wastewater can still enter rivers through combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and misconnections to drainage infrastructure. The influence of these inputs on the prevalence and spread of AMR and pathogens in rivers remains poorly characterised.
To understand the dynamics of AMR and pathogen dissemination from wastewater into receiving environments, this PhD will employ advanced molecular methods in a catchment-based approach within the Taff and Ely catchments. By integrating advanced omics technologies, including metagenomic sequencing, with field-based sampling and water quality monitoring, the project will generate critical insights into how releases of untreated sewage and misconnections influence water quality, and resistance gene and pathogen distribution and abundance. The findings will inform evidence-based strategies to mitigate the risks associated with waterborne AMR and pathogens, contributing to improved management of wastewater systems and enhanced protection of environmental and human health.
Training:
The student will gain comprehensive training in molecular approaches (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing library prep/data processing), experimental design, catchment-scale analysis, data visualisation, statistics, scientific writing, and presenting. The student will also participate in opportunities at host and partner organisations and will benefit from the broader Red-ALERT CDT training programme.
Welsh Government and DCWW will provide CASE partnership, including co-supervision, policy and technical support and guidance, access to sites for in situ sampling, and an opportunity for a placement. UKHSA will provide support and guidance in subject matter expertise and policy relevance.
Interdisciplinarity:
The supervisory team combines experts from academia and industry, spanning water quality and environmental pollution, genomics, and microbial community ecology and ecosystem health. Addressing the complex interactions between untreated wastewater and the spread of AMR and pathogens in rivers requires a broad analytical perspective, drawing on complementary scientific approaches.
Project Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pathogens, wastewater, combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
Industrial Partner: Dŵr Cymru, Welsh Water and Welsh Government
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject e.g. biology, molecular or microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
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 (£21,805 p/a in 2026/7) and access to a training support budget.
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