PhD Study : Water Security and Ecosystem Surveillance: Design of Sensors for Remote Drone Systems within Marine and Freshwater Environments

Apply and key information  

Summary

Aim: To develop an integrated sensing platform capable of providing remote multiparametric analysis of key (bio)chemical targets relevant to the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Background: The potential impact of climate change on the world’s oceans, coastlines and coastal communities is well documented but it must also be recognised that marine environments are influenced by a wide diversity of anthropogenic and natural substances and organisms. These can have significant adverse effects on both human health and ecosystems. As such, there is a critical need for real-time measurements of pollutants and toxins across a range of spatial scales in order to monitor these hazards, manage the consequences, and to understand the processes governing their magnitude and distribution. Many of the sampling methods used in marine sciences today date back decades and, in most cases, rely on taking samples of seawater from a research vessel. Assessing processes on small timescales as well as transient events, requires higher temporal and spatial resolution of measurements; long time series stations require high duration deployments of instruments. Both requirements can only be adequately satisfied by remote/in situ sensors that can provide multiparametric analysis such that we can gain new insights into how the oceans, and the life in them, works.

Proposed Project: The development of electrochemical sensors for a variety of environmental analyses are well established and the supervisory team have an extensive track record in their development. The challenge rests in their integration within remote platforms and their long term stability to meet the temporal and spatial requirements needed by marine scientists.

Candidate Requirements: A background in electronic/mechatronic engineering or an associated discipline with an electronics component. While sensing methodologies are established, the candidate will be involved in the development of novel substrates/structures capable of operating at depth in freshwater and saline environments. This will require the characterisation and optimisation of the sensors and their integration within a marine deployable probe unit.

Novelty: New electrochemical sensing systems that have long term capability, compact, electrocleansing system to remove bioencrustation, low power/sustainable power generation to enable periodic monitoring (drop and deploy). Each of these are transferrable to a host of contexts.

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.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Masters at 65%
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • 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) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor James Davis

Other supervisors