HWU
Toxicity of Pollutant Mixtures and Heat Waves on Threatened Freshwater Taxa
Self-funded
⏰ Closing Soon
🎓 Analytical Chemistry
🎓 Biodiversity
🎓 Ecology
🎓 Ecotoxicology
🎓 Environmental Biology
🎓 Geography
🎓 Zoology
funded PhD
amphibians
biodiversity loss
ecotoxicology
freshwater taxa
heat waves
molluscs
pollutant mixtures
Competition funded PhD at Heriot-Watt University investigating how pollutant mixtures and heat waves affect threatened freshwater species using field and mesocosm approaches.
Project Description
This PhD project investigates how combined environmental stressors, especially pollutant mixtures and heat waves, affect threatened freshwater amphibians and molluscs. The work will use candidate ponds identified with project partners and will examine both community-level and individual-level responses.
The research will include:
field-based and mesocosm studies
assessment of amphibian and freshwater mollusc communities
analysis of ecotoxicological biomarkers such as oxidative stress and detoxification
comparison of responses across pond types and different stressor intensities
alignment with nationally significant monitoring methods for UK ponds and wetlands
This project addresses the real-world problem of biodiversity decline in freshwater ecosystems, with a focus on highly threatened taxa affected by multiple simultaneous environmental pressures.
How to Apply
Apply through the ECOWILD programme website.
For project enquiries, contact f.orton@hw.ac.uk
For general enquiries, contact ecowild@hw.ac.uk
Be ready for interviews between 26 May and 5 June 2026 if shortlisted.
For project enquiries, contact f.orton@hw.ac.uk
For general enquiries, contact ecowild@hw.ac.uk
Be ready for interviews between 26 May and 5 June 2026 if shortlisted.
Eligibility
UK/Home
EU
International
Supervisor Profile
DF
Dr Frances Orton, Dr Graeme Shaw, Dr Heidrun Feuchtmayr, Dr Ted Henry
Heriot-Watt University, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
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