Fully-funded PhD opportunities in Environment, Geography and Geosciences

Applications are invited for fully-funded three-year PhDs to commence in October 2023.

The PhDs will be based in the Faculty of Science & Health, School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences.

Research in the School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences

At the School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences we're studying how our planet works, how it's changing and what we can do about it. Our research aims to provide solutions to the complex environmental and geographic challenges we face today. It makes a positive impact at the local, national and international level.

Our research was submitted to Unit of Assessment (UoA) 7 and UoA14 in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Both UoAs demonstrated research impact that was as outstanding or very considerable in terms of their reach and significance. Our impact case studies evidenced societal benefits in areas such as water quality monitoring, management of the Chernobyl exclusion zone and improving the wellbeing of international women migrants and their families in Indonesia.

In particular, Earth systems and environmental sciences at Portsmouth is ranked 4th of all post-1992 universities for research quality.

Funded PhD projects for 2023 entry:

• A critical evaluation of water consumption behaviours in relation to geodemographic profiling and the effectiveness of targeted conservation campaigns: a case study of Portsmouth Water
• Coccolithophore production during recent past warm intervals: unlocking the Southern Ocean's deepest secrets (acronym: HINTS)
• Pathways of polar organic chemical mixtures into UK rivers and their ecological impact on macroinvertebrate biodiversity (SCREEN)
• The effects of climate change on the performance of geo-infrastructure under cyclic loading
• The Role of Plastics in Toxic Metal Cycling in the Environment
• The use of satellite data to examine regional and global patterns of temperature change (elevation-dependent warming) in mountainous regions

Funding details

Candidates applying for these projects may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£17,668 for 2022/23). Bursary recipients will also receive an annual contribution of £1,500 per year towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.

General admissions criteria

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master's degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

How to Apply

We'd encourage you to contact the named supervisors to discuss your interest before you apply.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application from ( links found in each project advert above). You must also quote the relevant project code to be considered for these funded PhD opportunities

Application deadline: 3 April 2023