
How to apply
Apply for a joint PhD with the Toronto-Melbourne Research Training Group.
This joint PhD opportunity is no longer accepting applications until further notice.
Terrestrial ecosystems receive a myriad of organic and inorganic pollutants due to various anthropogenic activities. The pollutants can reside in soils, and negatively impact soil health which then limits how these ecosystems may provide critical services that support agricultural production and healthy environments.
Despite our significant knowledge base in soil chemistry and ecosystem functioning, the rapid emergence of new pollutants is outpacing scientific advancements. Microplastic contamination is currently receiving a lot of attention both from research communities and the general public.
Terrestrial environments receive more plastic debris than aquatic environments but have received far less attention. Microplastic contamination is considered an emerging threat to agricultural and soil-ecosystem functioning which can negatively impact food production around the globe.
The proposed project will investigate the relationships between natural carbon in soil and microplastic-related synthetic carbon with a particular emphasis on the differences in impacts between traditional nonbiodegradable plastic and newer biodegradable plastic sources.
The candidate will be immersed in different facets related to soil carbon and soil health and have the opportunity to present their research at scientific conferences and publish their results in top scientific journals.
The goals of this project are to:
University of Melbourne supervisor: Associate Professor Suzie Reichman
*Click on the researcher’s name above to learn more about their publication and grant successes
University of Toronto supervisor: Professor Myrna Simpson
We are seeking a PhD candidate with the following skills:
The PhD candidate will benefit from the combined expertise of the project supervisors, and the embedding into two research environments.
Associate Professor Suzie Reichman at the University of Melbourne will contribute expertise in soil chemistry and ecotoxicology. Professor Myrna Simpson the University of Toronto will contribute expertise in environmental chemistry and analytical methodologies to study environmental processes at the molecular-level.
This PhD project will be based at the University of Melbourne with an 18-24 month stay at the University of Toronto.
The candidate will be enrolled in the Environmental Sciences PhD program at the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto, and in the PhD program at the School of BioSciences at the University of Melbourne.
This joint PhD opportunity is no longer accepting applications until further notice.
Apply for a joint PhD with the Toronto-Melbourne Research Training Group.
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