Understanding the interaction of pollution and climate change in mangrove wetlands through field and laboratory study of a model amphipod

This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details, and for a full list of projects offered under this programme, please visit:  https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/

Tropical wetlands are especially vulnerable habitats in global climate models that predict temperatures will increase substantially, extreme storm events will occur more frequently, changes in riverine discharge (i.e., leading to changes in salinity of estuaries) will become more dramatic, and negative anthropogenic factors (pollution, shipping, overfishing) will become more severe as human populations increase.  Our established ecotoxicology tropical amphipod (Parhyale hawaiensis) model enables cross-laboratory experimentation (UK-Brazil) and field research within our existing field sites in São Paulo state Brazil.  The supervisory team is composed of experts in field and laboratory ecotoxicology, pathophysiology and in the investigation of multiple stressors.

Experimentation will include both laboratory and field studies and consider organism responses to stressors at molecular (genotoxicology, target gene and transcriptome), tissue (histopathology), whole organism (behaviour, reproduction), and community (genetic polymorphisms) levels of biological organisation.  Laboratory experimentation will utilize the established colonies of P. hawaiensis at Heriot-Watt University and University of Campinas, and field research including deployment of amphipods in purpose-built cages in mangrove habitats of São Paulo state Brazil.  The project supervisor (TB Henry) has long established research collaboration with supervisor in Brazil (GA Umbuzeiro) and a joint academic appointment at the University of Campinas (Campinas, Brazil). 

Biodiversity is under threat from the combination of climate change and pollution, and, in the context of mangrove wetlands, is a United Nations Triple Planetary Crisis.  However, we know almost nothing about how these multiple stressors will affect fundamental biology of critical ecosystem enablers such as amphipods.  Near 30% of the world’s mangroves are in UK Commonwealth countries.  This studentship will increase understanding of pathophysiology in the poly-crisis facing these critical wetland ecosystems, and project novelty includes interlaboratory (UK-Brazil) comparison of ecotoxicology results with the P. hawaiensis model and field experimentation to facilitate validation of laboratory results.

Tropical mangrove wetlands are frequently exposed to multiple stressors including both natural variations and anthropogenic factors (e.g., pollution, shipping, habitat alteration, overfishing); however, the understanding of how these ecosystems respond to multiple stressors is largely unknown.  Projections of future global environmental changes (e.g., climate change) indicate that tropical regions are likely to be struck most acutely by stressful events including temperature, changes in discharge of freshwaters (i.e., salinity changes), extreme storm events, and pollution from rapidly expanding human population growth in these areas.  These vulnerable ecosystems are critical to the maintenance and health of neighbouring marine environments. 

Funding

This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees for Home students and provide an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (£19,795 in 2025-26) for the 44 months duration of the project.

International candidates may apply but if successful, will need to demonstrate that they (or their supervisory team) have co-funding to cover the difference between home and international fees to be eligible. The difference in fees varies by programme. The current difference for 2024/25 academic year is approximately £20,000 per year.

Supervisors

Professor Theodore Henry – Heriot Watt University

Dr Stewart Owen– AstraZeneca

Dr Helena Reinardy – University of the Highlands and Islands

Professor Gisela Umbuzeiro – University of Campinas

Eligibility

This project is available to home and overseas students*. Applicants typically should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters’ qualification or similar experience.

Essential Skills:

• Field-based skills
• Laboratory skills

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We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.

*Due to CDT funding rules and Institutional policies, there is a cap on the number of scholarships that can be awarded to international students. Once this limit has been reached, ECOWILD CDT scholarship will only be awarded to students who are eligible for Home fee status.

English Language Requirements

Overseas students must be able to provide proof of their ability in the English language.

We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0, or a TOEFL certificate with an overall score of at least 85, including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21. Alternatively, if you have received an English-taught Bachelors or Masters degree from one of the countries listed on the UK Government Guidance under ‘Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English’, and it was obtained less than two years from your intended start date, you should provide evidence of your award that clearly states it was delivered and assessed in English language.

How to Apply

For information on how to apply, please visit the ECOWILD website: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

For project specific enquiries, please contact t.henry@hw.ac.uk

For general enquiries or technical support with your application, please contact ecowild@hw.ac.uk

Timelines

The closing date for applications is 5pm GMT Thursday 9th January, and applicants must be available to start in October 2025.