Marine litter is a global problem with, as yet, no solution(1). At the start of the Decade of the Ocean, we are still collectively generating around 13 million tonnes of plastic waste from terrestrial and marine industries, that ultimately end up in our seas and the global ocean each year. These extraordinary quantities of enduring plastic litter are becoming increasingly well documented, along with the resulting range of ecological, economic, and human health impacts.
Current research indicates that there are numerous litter accumulation “hotspots” but also “coldspots” on beaches around Scotland’s west coast mainland and islands. The idea of “litter sinks” as places where geography and topology combine with dominant currents and winds to capture excessive amounts of marine litter has been well-established. The natural counterpoint of these would be “litter sources” – places where tides, currents and winds remove litter and transport it elsewhere – has yet to be explored. Observations suggest that some objects travel significant distances across the Irish and Celtic Seas and the Atlantic Ocean to reach Scotland’s coastline. Materials that are deposited and accumulate along coastlines can vary greatly from location to location. Different sources and activities not only influence this variation, but also by processes such as physical separation driven by a combination of material properties e.g., buoyancy and size and environmental factors e.g., coastal topography and ocean currents. Consequently, one stretch of shoreline might primarily consist of large debris like fish boxes, ropes, and strapping, while another nearby location may primarily accumulate smaller items such as bottle caps and shotgun cartridges. It is essential that this variability is understood in order to develop strategies that are tailored to local conditions — both for the effective cleanup of existing waste as well as preventing further pollution of our seas and ocean.
The initial research will focus on understanding marine litter conditions in a pre-determined location on the West coast of Scotland based on the most recent scientific and third-sector observations(2,3). The combined topology, geography, currents, weather and population densities/remoteness means that this region hosts litter sinks where large quantities of rubbish have accumulated, untouched for decades, and/or where large amounts of rubbish accumulate during each winter storm season. Many of the foreshores are cobbled but do also include stretches of sand and marram grass, thus presenting different surfaces and conditions to study how litter is trapped, retained and released. The west coast has significant local marine industry activity including fishing and aquaculture. However, it is also exposed to materials coming from further afield, with beached objects identified as originating from the Isle of Man, the island of Ireland, southern European and American Atlantic coasts and coastal water(3).
Following the initial survey, regular observations will be made of arrivals, movements and departures of litter items, documenting the effects of spring/neap tides, varying wind directions/strengths and storm surges. Methods will be developed to estimate the origins and ages of materials where possible. For example, patterns of distribution (e.g. clusters of domestic debris) may indicate the erosion of a previously buried midden; and manufacturers’ marks and branding can help identify the origins and ages of some items. Degrees and types of biomass accumulation on fishing/aquaculture gear may also provide information on time spent in the ocean environment and origins, e.g. the size of bivalves or the presence of non-native species.
References:
1 Gonçalves GRL, Koomson A, Aggrey-Fynn J, Nyarko BK, Narayanaswamy BE. (2025) Invisible Peril: Assessing microplastic pollution in Ghanaian mangroves. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 211; 117361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117361
2 Allison et al. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115341
3 Scottish Islands Marine Litter Surveys 2023 - https://www.sifmarinelitter.co.uk/_files/ugd/55008e_f6ffbd37245844458d73bd6d2b8a5034.pdf
Director of Studies: Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (SAMS)
Supervisory Team: Dr Anna Wilson (University of Glasgow), Dr Geslaine Lemos Gonçalves – Plastic pollution specialist
Application Deadline: 31 October 2025
Course Start date: 2 February 2026
Funded course duration: 12 months
This one year, fully funded MRes studentship is funded by The Academies and with support from the Leverhulme Trust, and follows UKRI funding guidance.
To qualify for Home (UK) fees status, applicants must be either a UK National (meeting residency requirements) or meet the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme and have either settled status, pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements) or indefinite leave to remain or enter.
The studentship covers Home (UK) fees, a maintenance stipend and a research training grant.
How to apply
To apply you will need to submit
1. Completed MRes Research Degree Student application form: Research degree student application RD1
2. A research proposal (Please consider how you would further develop the project described here and highlight your relevant skills and work in the field. It is advisable to also include a CV.)
3. Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, this must be accompanied by a fully certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
4. For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent) is required and the certificate must have been gained within the past 2 years.
5. A copy of the photo page of your passport if you are not a UK national. Please see International entry requirements and Visa Advice. Also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK.
6. Copy of all your official degree transcripts. If you have not yet completed your degree, please send a transcript showing all your modules and grades.
7. Two references using this applicant reference request form_MRes that must be emailed to masters@sams.ac.uk
These documents must reach us by any deadline advertised. You can send them by email or post.
Interview information
The best candidates on paper will be invited for interview via Teams.
This funded project is open to applicants who qualify for Home (UK) tuition fee status.
To qualify for Home (UK) tuition fees status, applicants must be either a UK National (meeting residency requirements) or meet the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme and have either settled status, pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements) or indefinite leave to remain or enter.
Typical entry requirements will be based on possession of a BSc(Hons) in a relevant biological or life science subject (and depending on the candidate’s related course work, may include degrees in chemistry and engineering) at 2:1 or above, or international equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also have attained a satisfactory standard on an approved test in English (e.g. a minimum IELTS score of 6.5) or be able to demonstrate that they have adequate command of both written and spoken English to follow the programme before an offer of admission will be made.