From Catchment to Coast: Mapping Plastic Material Accumulation and its Impact on Northern Ireland's Coastal Environment.

Summary

Plastic pollution is increasingly visible along coastlines worldwide, but we still know relatively little about where larger plastic items come from, how they move through river and coastal systems, and where they ultimately accumulate. This PhD will investigate plastic material flows from catchment to coast in Northern Ireland, combining environmental science, coastal processes, spatial analysis and innovative monitoring technologies.

The research will examine macroplastic litter at selected beaches, including sites associated with the River Bann and the wider Lough Neagh catchment, as well as important coastal and tourism locations along the north and east coasts.  Using drone-derived imagery, GNSS field measurements, hydrodynamic and meteorological data, the project will investigate how plastic is transported, deposited, redistributed and buried.

Machine-learning approaches will also be explored to develop more efficient methods for detecting and classifying plastic from imagery (i.e., CNN, Vision Transformer, etc.). A key aim is to understand plastic litter not simply as waste found on beaches, but as part of a wider material-flow system linking consumption, waste, rivers and the coastal environment.

Identifying the potential source of plastic materials and its accumulation in the environment can help inform approaches to waste prevention, resource efficiency, clean-up practices optimisation and the development of a more circular economy.  The research will also investigate the implications of plastic accumulation for coastal environmental quality, tourism and recreation, providing evidence to support sustainable management of Northern Ireland's coastal assets.

The project aligns with Northern Ireland’s priorities for environmental improvement, waste management, circular economy, sustainable tourism and regional economic development. The PhD would suit applicants interested in environmental science, coastal processes, GIS/remote sensing, drones, data science, machine learning, waste/material flows or sustainable tourism.

Note:  A proposal is not required upon application.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.