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Environmental Sciences research and PhD courses

Our research aims to increase understanding of the links between the environment and human and wildlife. We have considerable expertise in chemicals, health and the environment, winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research revealing the link between chemicals in rivers and reproductive health. Our researchers have world-leading track records in environmental chemistry, toxicology and ecotoxicology, and our facilities include state-of-the-art equipment for the chemical analysis of samples and molecular and cell biology.

Research opportunities for students

Research students are welcomed to Brunel as valued members of our thriving, research-intensive community. Browse PhD opportunities below and find out about the funding available for students.

Our Environmental Sciences research falls into four main areas:

Environmental Change

We conduct research to improve the forecasting and response to environmental change. Expertise and track records of members are in the complementary areas of predictive environmental and health modelling and disaster management.

Environmental Health and Ecosystems

Our work aims to increase the knowledge of environmental exposures, as well as the biological responses to these exposures and the implications for human and wildlife health through mechanism-based risk assessment. We study chemicals, health and the environment (particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals and environmental carcinogens) and we develop model systems and assays for screening chemicals. We have expertise in environmental chemistry, toxicology, and ecotoxicology.

Biological Pathways and Systems

Our research in this area aims to provide a strong fundamental biological foundation for prevention science for environmental health. We investigate basic biological processes associated with health and illness, focusing on signalling pathways and systems that are susceptible to the effects of environmental stressors. Particular foci include pathways exploited during the induction of malignant transformation by environmental carcinogens and those exploited by endocrine disrupting chemicals. Our research addresses various levels of biological organization including molecular, cellular, model organism and population, utilising new tools, techniques and model systems both in vitro and in vivo.

Environmental Solutions

The environment must be protected to preserve essential ecosystem functions and to provide for the wellbeing of future generations. We aim to improve environmental quality through a variety of engineering and management approaches aimed at promoting clean and healthy environments and safe and healthy food and medicines. We have particular expertise in the monitoring and improvement of the quality of air and water and in extracting natural products using counter-current chromatography pioneered at Brunel.

 Research in Environmental Sciences

Find people, projects, groups and publications in Environmental Sciences. 

Independent assessment of our research quality (REF 2021)

Research groups and centres

Systems and Environmental Engineering

Systems and Environmental Engineering

Water Engineering; Machine Learning and AI; Micro-Electronics and Electronics Security and Provenance; Digital Economy;· Circular Economy; Advance Process Monitoring and Control.

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Our funded studentships become available at different times of the year. Please keep checking our page regularly to see the latest funded opportunities. We also advertise all our funded studentships as soon as they become available on the @BrunelResearch twitter account.

View all studentships