Investigating environmental pollution in India by Contaminants of Emerging Concern transported in floodwaters and the potential of bioremediatation using Nature-based Solutions
Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 1st May
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: September 2026
For further details contact: Associate Professor Ivan Kourtchev
Introduction
Contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products and other anthropogenic chemicals, are increasingly recognised as a major risk to aquatic environments and human health. However, their occurrence, transport and fate during urban flood events remain poorly understood, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions where drainage and wastewater infrastructure are under severe pressure.
Bengaluru has experienced repeated flooding associated with rapid urban growth, land use change, drainage obstruction and increasingly variable rainfall. These floodwaters can mobilise and redistribute contaminants across water, soil and sediment, creating complex and poorly characterised exposure pathways, especially in highly vulnerable communities.
At the same time, there is an urgent need for low-cost and locally adaptable remediation approaches. Nature-based solutions such as vegetated systems, constructed wetlands and biofilters offer strong potential, but more evidence is needed on their suitability for removing contaminants of emerging concern in flood-affected urban environments.
Project details
The main goal of this project is to investigate how floodwaters transport and redistribute contaminants of emerging concern in Bengaluru, India, and to evaluate the potential of nature-based solutions to mitigate these pollutants in practical urban settings.
The PhD will be delivered across two institutions, with the first and final years based at GITAM in Bengaluru, India, and the second year based at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. This structure will support both field-based research in a flood-prone urban environment and advanced analytical work using state-of-the-art facilities.
The research will combine field investigations, advanced chemical analysis, laboratory experiments and geospatial assessment. Field campaigns in Bengaluru will identify representative flood-affected areas and contamination hotspots, including vulnerable urban communities, followed by targeted sampling of water, sediment and soil.
Advanced analytical workflows will be developed and applied to characterise contaminants using targeted analysis, suspect screening and non-target analysis with liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. These approaches will enable the identification of known contaminants as well as previously uncharacterised compounds associated with flood events.
The project will assess contaminant transport pathways and partitioning across environmental compartments, supported by spatial analysis and environmental risk assessment.
Laboratory-scale experiments will then evaluate the performance of nature-based solutions, including native plant species, biofiltration systems and locally available materials such as biochar and recycled construction waste, to determine their suitability for practical, low-cost implementation.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
The project offers an international research experience, with fieldwork and environmental data collection in Bengaluru and advanced analytical training at Coventry University, including exposure to high-resolution mass spectrometry and non-target analysis approaches.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact Professor Ivan Kourtchev
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
Apply to Coventry University
