Advanced Sensing of Pathogens and Pollutants in Freshwaters through Integrated Passive Sampling and Quantum Nanodiamond Technology

This PhD opportunity in aquatic pathogen detection will advance sensors to detect pathogens in wastewater and environmental waters. 

Human contact with pathogenic viruses and AMR-carrying E. coli in the environment is a major public health threat, causing disease outbreaks and significant socioeconomic burdens. Current wastewater-based epidemiology methods, like qPCR, have limitations such as time delays and high costs. This PhD project aims to use rapid quantum nanodiamond sensors for multiplexed pathogen detection in wastewater and rivers. Integrating passive samples will allow simultaneous chemical and biological pathogen detection, capturing an integrated pollution signal and quantifying pathogen abundance. Drawing from successful SARS-CoV-2 detection, this project will focus on Norovirus, CrAssphage, and E. coli in UK freshwaters.

The studentship will encompass a structured yet flexible workplan of training and research including i) a literature review on biosensors for waterborne pathogen detection; ii) research on various fluorescent nanodiamond particle geometries for norovirus, crAssphage, and E. coli detection, validating against qPCR; iii) research on different passive sampler configurations for co-capturing and recovering microbial contaminants in various water types; and iv) trial deployment in the Conwy Living Lab, studying spatial and temporal dynamics of microbial contamination. 

The studentship will be primarily based at Bangor University benefitting from training provided by a diverse interdisciplinary supervisory team covering molecular microbial detection and aquatic pathogen surveillance (supervisors Rob Griffiths and Davey Jones). In addition training in state of the art biomolecular nanotechnology will be provided at UCL through supervisor Rachel McKendry; and research in chemical environmental epidemiology supported by Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern at Bath. Wider training in research skills will be provided by the RED-ALERT and the BU Doctoral Training School and there will be opportunities to actively engage with 3 external partner organisations (Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Gov Water Division, and Dwr Cymru) to explore how the technology can be exploited to support routine environmental surveillance.

Natural Environment Research Council funded RED ALERT Centre for Doctoral Training will provide training in water-based early warning systems for environmental and public health protection focused around 4 UK and 3 international Living Labs aimed to provide the in-depth knowledge and enable a step-change in managing environmental and public health.

The student stipend is £19,237 per annum, with all fees and other costs covered. 

Pathogens water diagnostics one-health

Applicants for this PhD studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, Masters, or equivalent qualification in relevant areas of microbiology, molecular biology, or biomolecular science.

To apply visit our online application portal: https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/apply/account/login/