Funded MSc by Research in Analytical Chemistry
Starting: January 2025
Location: Middlesex University, London
Eligibility: At least an upper second in a relevant subject
Studentship Duration: 1 Year
Overview
The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), such as study drugs and antidepressants in wastewater is a global concern due to their potential environmental and human health impacts. These compounds enter wastewater through human excretion and improper disposal of medications. Conventional wastewater treatment plants often fail to remove PPCPs effectively, allowing them to enter the environment. University campuses are particularly significant in this context, as the use of study drugs and antidepressants may be prevalent among students due to academic stress, peer pressure, and mental health issues. University wastewater systems can thus serve as pathways for PPCPs to reach the environment, underscoring the need to understand the occurrence, fate, and impacts of these substances.
This studentship is funded by a bursary from Middlesex University of £19,237 (fee-level waiver for UK students).
Research Objectives:
- To develop and optimize a method for detecting and quantifying pharmaceutical compounds.
- To measure the concentrations of these selected pharmaceutical compounds in untreated wastewater.
- To examine the variations in the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals over the academic year and identify any correlations with assessment periods.
How to apply:
Applications are open now and application is by CV and covering letter to Dr Perry Devo, Lecturer in Computational Chemistry: [email protected].
Closing date for applications: 13/09/2024 with interviews held in early October.
For further information
Please contact Dr Perry Devo, Lecturer in Computational Chemistry: [email protected].