Project Title:

EPSRC-Dstl PhD Studentship in Chemical Threat Detection: The forensic value of human biomarkers of explosives-related materials exposure

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with a strong background in forensic and environmental analytical chemistry for the PhD project entitled, The forensic value of human biomarkers of explosives exposure. The studentship will be based primarily within the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at Imperial’s globally leading School of Public Health. Academic supervision will be led by Dr Leon Barron (Imperial), Dr Helena Rapp Wright, and Prof Ruth Morgan (UCL Department of Security and Crime Science). This studentship is funded by an EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award with additional supervisory input from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).  The student will be expected to study at Dstl for a minimum period of at least 3 months during the studentship.

Research Project

This project aims to identify and understand the evidential value of biomarkers of energetic materials-related exposure in human biological samples to support forensic investigations.

Forensic investigations of explosives focus on identifying energetically-relevant materials (EM) and components involved in making explosive devices. Current methods can detect trace amounts of EMs in various types of evidence, including biological materials. However, there is limited capability to extract additional evidential value from biological samples, especially in determining short- or long-term exposure in living humans. Forensic biomarkers can include explosives, their precursors, metabolites, biotransformation products, and changes in endogenous biological molecules. In vitro tools, such as liver microsomes, can help identify biotransformation products expected in humans. It is also important to distinguish between exposure from criminal activity and non-criminal sources, such as environmental pollution, occupation, or diet. To gather reliable forensic data, the proportions of biomarkers across biological media will be characterised in this project, predominantly using chromatographic techniques, coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

The main objectives of the project are:

  • To identify potential biotransformation products of a large selection of energetic materials and their precursors.
  • to develop and validate quantitative analytical methods to measure suitable biomarkers in different biological sample types.
  • To measure the relative concentration and distribution of biomarkers in an occupationally–exposed cohort
  • To elucidate the evidential value of the differential biomarker profiles across sample types

The student will have access to a state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation suite at ERG housing an array of different liquid- supercritical fluid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments and will work alongside a wider research team studying chemical exposure as part of the MRC Centre for Environment and Health (MRC-CEH).

Dstl is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. Within Dstl, the student will work in close collaboration with the Forensic Explosives Laboratory (FEL). It supports the Criminal Justice System regarding the unlawful use of explosives. At FEL, the student will have access to world class forensic science expertise and laboratory equipment, as well as exposure to working in a fast-paced industrial environment.

You will be an enthusiastic, creative and self-motivated individual who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. Knowledge and experience of the theory and application of mass spectrometry-based analytical toxicology is a significant advantage. You will have clear personal goals directing your interest in and approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. As this will be primarily a laboratory-driven project, we expect a consistent in-person attendance on site. An interest in developing new experimental and/or modelling techniques for chemicals in the environment is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills (oral and written).

To find out more about research at the MRC-CEH Imperial College London and Dstl in this area, go to:

https://environment-health.ac.uk/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/school-public-health/environmental-research-group/

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – GOV.UK

For more information about the UCL Department of Security and Crime Science and UCL Centre for the Forensic Sciences, go to:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering/security-crime-science

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering/forensic-sciences

For information on how to apply

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/school-public-health/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/

For further details of the post, contact Dr Leon Barron (leon.barron@imperial.ac.uk). Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Application

The application form can be found here. It should be completed electronically and e-mailed to  valentina.lotti@imperial.ac.uk with a subject line “EPSRC PhD Application ERG-Dstl [lastname]”.

The closing date for applications is 31st August, 2025.

Successful candidates are expected to start their studentship as soon as possible and ideally by 1st October, 2025.

Imperial College London is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment.

Eligibility

Candidates must be a UK National and have lived in the UK for the past five years. In addition, please be aware of the other residence eligibility for this studentship.

Candidates should hold, or achieve by the start of the programme, a Master’s degree in addition to a Bachelor’s degree with a UK First- or Upper Second-Class honours grade or equivalent in Chemistry, Toxicology, Materials, Environmental Science, or another related discipline.

The studentship includes funding for Home tuition fees and a stipend of £21,237 per annum.

This studentship is only available to candidates who are eligible for home tuition fee status. Applicants from overseas will be considered if they are able to cover the studentship costs by either self-funding, other fellowship and/or through Government funding. The EPSRC terms and conditions for this studentships are available here Doctoral Training Partnerships: terms and conditions – UKRI. Please be aware of the residence eligibility for this studentship.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 31st August 2025.

Interviews will be held on w/c 8th September 2025.

The studentship will start on 1st October 2025.

Imperial College London is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment.