Natural England - PhD projects with Natural England funding
PhD projects with Natural England funding
We support PhDs, often in partnership with Research Councils, both for the intrinsic value of the work itself and for the opportunities they provide to help develop the next generation of scientists.
We only support projects that are directly relevant to our priorities. Below is a list of PhDs that we are currently supporting. Our funding contributions to PhDs are often in partnership with the Research Councils. All these PhDs are undertaken at universities, and it is the universities, not Natural England, that advertise the places and select the successful candidates. You should, therefore, approach relevant universities for information on possible PhD places.
Biodiversity
Research
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0197 | Ecosystem effects of elevated organic matter loads in upland streams (NERC CASE PhD) | Levels of particulate and dissolved organic matter in upland streams have increased in recent decades. The effects of this on the biota of upland streams is poorly understood. This PhD will undertake strategic monitoring and experimental manipulations to evaluate effects on microbial, algal and invertebrate communities. The findings will be used to inform the definition of environmental targets for upland river SSSIs and SACs. NERC CASE PhD student: Katie Aspray, Leeds University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £9,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0261 | Determining historic ecological conditions in lowland rivers: applying palaeoecological techniques to river restoration planning (NERC CASE PhD) | River restoration needs to be underpinned by an understanding of how biological communities have changed as a result of physical habitat modifications and how they would benefit from restoration measures. This project will characterise contemporary and historical faunas in lowland river SSSIs in relation to physical habitat modification. The results will be used to help underpin restoration efforts on river SSSIs and other rivers. NERC CASE PhD student: Emma Seddon, Loughborough University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0262 | The role of nutrients and hydrological disturbance in determining the status of attached algal communities in rivers (NERC CASE PhD) | Strategic monitoring, experimental manipulations and modelling to clarify how nutrient availability interacts with other environmental factors in influencing algal growth in rivers. The work will be used in future refinements to the definition of nutrient targets for controlling eutrophication impacts on river SSSIs and SACs, and for informing views on the wider river network in relation to the Water Framework Directive and the UK BAP. NERC CASE PhD student: Rosie Law, Lancaster University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0270 | Marl lakes: defining conservation objectives (NERC CASE PhD) | Use of palaeolimnological techniques (plant and animals remains in lake sediment cores) to determine historic reference conditions and patterns of change in three marl (limestone) lakes - Malham Tarn, Hawes Water and Cunswick Tarn. The results will increase our understanding of how marl lakes respond to natural and human-induced pressures and the findings will be applicable to other marl lakes. NERC CASE PhD student: Emma Wiik, University College, London.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £8,000.00 | Stewart Clarke |
| RP0293 | High resolution remote sensing for landscape-scale restoration of peat (NERC CASE PhD) | To evaluate the ability of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing to distinguish between moorland restoration treatments and monitor changes with the objective of being able to monitor restoration of landscape-scale peat. NERC CASE PhD student: Elizabeth Lowe, Manchester University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Mick Rebane |
| RP0294 | The ecology of hen harriers outside the breeding season (PhD) | The hen harrier is a Red-listed Bird of Conservation Concern. Little is known of the birds' whereabouts outside the breeding season, nor of the ecology of English-breeding birds at this time of year. This project explores the movements, habitat selection, survivorship and fate of radio- and satellite-tagged hen harriers of known breeding provenance. Natural England-funded PhD student: Stephen Murphy, John Moores University, Liverpool.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,230.00 | Andrew Brown |
| RP0295 | Are the population dynamics of seabirds in the west of Britain driven by climate change? (PhD) | Seabird populations are changing very rapidly across the UK. This study will disentangle the effects of climate change (and consequent changes in plankton and fish populations) and other changes, including fishing effort, in driving the population dynamics of seabirds nesting in south-western Britain. NERC/Sir Alistair Hardy Foundation PhD student: Valentina Lauria, Plymouth University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £9,000.00 | Andrew Brown |
| RP0296 | Impacts of climate and land use change on the UK cuckoo population (PhD) | To disentangle the effects of climate in different forms of land use, and focus on the key mechanisms affecting the cuckoo population in the UK, and the implications of future change. This long-term project is a combination of long-term data, field observation, experimentation and modelling. The results will guide Natural England and RSPB in developing appropriate mitigation measures for this iconic species. Natural England/RSPB funded PhD student: Chloe Denerley, Aberdeen University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | Phil Grice |
| RP0305 | Bats and roofing membranes (PhD) | (1) To gain an understanding of the impacts of the use of breathable membranes on bat roosts where these occur in roofs and (2) to disseminate findings and recommendations as a guidance document for use by both the building industry and conservation organisations. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council/Natural England/Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments (TSBE)/Bat Conservation Trust PhD student: Stacey Waring, Reading University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,000.00 | Judy Stroud |
| RP0428 | Valuing biodiversity: developing criteria for use in biodiversity offsetting implementation and monitoring | A key element of biodiversity offsetting schemes is a metric to measure biodiversity loss and gain. At its most basic a metric may simply be area but more complex measures are normally desirable. This project seeks to devise a metric applicable to the UK situation which, whilst being a practical to implement, also gives a good description of the biodiversity value of a site. This project is a CASE studentship with Essex university.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,000.00 | Adrian Jowitt |
