Microplastic and chemical additives contamination in surface and groundwater in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India and their bioremediation 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: 1 May 2026

Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: September 2026

For further details contact: Professor Sue Charlesworth

Introduction

This proposal centres on the global issue of MP pollution in urban environments specifically focusing on surface and groundwater in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. There is little research undertaken on MP contamination in India as a whole, with most concentrating on the marine environment or MP-associated biofilms across urban environments in general or Visakhapatnam in particular thus the project will address a substantial gap in the discipline. The PhD will also address a wider research gap of the potential bioremediation of MP contamination using Nature-based Solutions (NbS), a relatively new, currently under-researched subject offering the opportunity to add to the literature. The identification of common indigenous plants in the city will enable an assessment of their potential to be included in an NbS method to manage the issue. CAWR has access to 6 small-scale NbS management trains which can be used to investigate the potential of this approach. Any recommendations made may have the potential of upscaling to other Indian cities, and potentially other cities with similar issues in the Global South and beyond. We propose a policy brief to be produced detailing the extent of the issue regarding MPs and its bioremediation, to be presented to local and national governments in India.

Project details

The project has 8 interrelated work packages (WPs):

WP1: Literature survey of MP contamination in Indian cities. Site-specific data, including land use and pollution indicators collected to contextualise results. Ethics submitted (Year 1 Q1; GITAM).
WP2: SOP development for safe, legal, and ethical international sample preparation and transfer, including biosafety and data-sharing standards compliance (Year 1 Q2; GITAM).
WP3: Conduct field sampling of surface and groundwater in selected urban locations in Visakhapatnam and sample preparation based on the developed SOP from WP2 (Year 1 Q3; GITAM).
WP4: Analysis of chemical additives in water samples using LC-HRMS (Year 1 Q3-4; GITAM) and examination of biofilms developed on MPs and microbes contributing to MP biodegradation.
WP5: Analysis of MPs presented in the water samples using FTIR spectroscopy/microscopy. All training on the instruments given (Year 2 Q1-2; CAWR).
WP6: Determination and testing of suitable vegetation for the Indian context, their use in NbS to remove MP from contaminated substrates, contributing to recommendations of bioremediation strategies (Year 2 Q3-4; CAWR).
WP7: Produce a map of MP hotspots across Visakhapatnam (Year 3: Q1-2; GITAM).
WP8: Make recommendations of suitable NbS methods based on the results from WP5-6 (Year 3: Q3-4; GITAM).

Deliverables:

Based on results from the project, at list three REFable peer-reviewed paper (one review and two research) will be prepared and submitted to Q1 peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Water Research, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Science of the Total Environment). Additionally, results of the project will be presented at two national (UK and India) and one international conference; as well as at CAWR CU and GITAM seminars. A policy brief will be drafted based on recommendations made of the use of NbS to bioremediate MPs in India.
The PhD thesis will be prepared and submitted.

Milestones:

M1: Review paper submission (Year 1 Q4)
M2: Fist research paper submission (Year 2 Q4)
M3: Second research paper submission (Year 3 Q4)
M4: Reporting start of Q4 in Years 1-3
M5: Viva in Q2 of Year 4.

Funding

Tuition fees and bursary.

The studentship will include one return economy airfare to GITAM/Coventry University, visa and overseas healthcare to cover the mobility period.

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 and Research College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

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).

Additional requirements

The applicants should have a MSc/BSc in chemistry/analytical chemistry/Environmental chemistry including good experience in chemical analysis, preferably µFTIR spectroscopy/microscopy and liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) as well as some microbiology experience, although training will be given. 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.

How to apply

To find out more about the project, please contact Professor Sue Charlesworth.

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