Environmental Biosciences : Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Bioengineering the seagrass microbi[...]

Swansea University; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK university offers a PhD opportunity in ecological modelling that focuses on the interactions between bees and plants, scrutinizing the impact of pesticides and habitat loss. Candidates will gain valuable skills in data analysis and experimental design, with full funding provided, including tuition and a stipend. The position requires in-person attendance and is based in the UK, with a starting date of September 2026.

Benefits

Full tuition funding

Annual stipend

Research Training and Support Grant

Fieldwork budget

Qualifications

• Must have a strong background in science or technology.
• Understanding of ecological interactions is essential.
• Must be able to conduct experiments and analyze data.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the impacts of pesticides and habitat loss.
• Synthesize global patterns from existing studies.
• Develop and test mathematical models of bee population dynamics.
• Bridge data and theory to forecast ecological risks.

Skills

Ecological modelling

Data analysis

Experimental design

Programming

Education

First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Organisation/Company Swansea University Department Central Research Field Environmental science » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 3 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full‑time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Mutualistic interactions between plants and their animal pollinators are fundamental to their survival and the persistence of important agricultural ecosystem services. A cornerstone example of this are bees and the wildflowers and crops that depend on them. These systems are threatened by multiple anthropogenic factors, but of particular concern is exposure to agricultural pesticides (which represent a risk to bee health and survival) and the increasingly fragmented habitats in which bee populations reside. Therefore, understanding the synergistic effects of these anthropogenic disturbances on bee populations is key to safeguarding the crucial ecological services they provide is.

In this project the student will develop a mechanistic framework to better understand the anthropogenic impacts of pesticides and habitat loss on bee‑plant interactions across spatial scales. The project will bring together empirical data analysis, experiments, and development of ecological theory to provide a holistic view of pollinator systems under human disturbance.

Specific Objectives

• 1. Synthesise global patterns – Review and analyse existing studies to uncover how bee populations respond to pesticide use and habitat loss worldwide.
• 2. Experimentally test impacts – Use lab experiments to measure how pesticides affect bee movement, decision making, and pollination efficiency.
• 3. Develop predictive models – Build a mathematical model of bee population dynamics that incorporates the effects of pesticides (from the above experiments) as well as spatial processes such as dispersal and species interactions.
• 4. Bridge data and theory – Test model predictions against real‑world ecological patterns to identify key factors driving bee performance across scales.
• 5. Forecast future risks – Use the integrated framework to predict how combined pressures from pesticides and habitat loss affect bee populations, refining our understanding of bee–plant interactions and movement.

This project offers and exciting opportunity for a PhD candidate interested in ecological modelling applied to the interface between conservation and agriculture. The candidate will develop skills in experimental design, development of ecological theory, analysis of large datasets, and programming of computer simulations. Transferrable skills from this project will open opportunities to develop collaborations with organisations such as Bristol City Council or the West of England Nature Partnership which are both collaborators of Dr Clements.

Our aim as the SWBio DTP is to support students from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Where needed, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part‑time study requests, to enable greater access to a PhD. All our supervisors support us with this aim, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible.

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or have significant relevant research or non‑academic experience.

Specific Requirements

• This is an in‑person PhD programme and a distance‑learning option is not available. As such, you are expected to attend in person from the start of the programme and based at the listed host institution (exception is for standard studentships with associate partner where you will spend time at each of the listed supervisor’s institutions).
• You will need to live in the UK and be in reasonable travel to your host institution. This is to ensure you receive adequate support and contact with your supervisor, access to training and facilities and to be in contact with your research group and other students. There may be periods of time where you may be away (either within the UK or outside the UK) for example, placements, conferences and training, which is acceptable.
• As a cohort based programme with an integrated taught first year, there is one formal programme start date at your institution (this will either be late September or early October depending on your institution).
• To support access to bioscience PhDs, we do not accept applications from applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD (or equivalent).
• This is a 4 year PhD programme, and you are expected to submit your thesis within 4 years (4 years based on a full‑time equivalent).

Additional Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).

Funding also includes a £16k Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) and a £1,920 fieldwork budget (to support fieldwork/conferences/PIPS placement).

Eligibility criteria

• This is an in‑person PhD programme and a distance‑learning option is not available. As such, you are expected to attend in person from the start of the programme and based at the listed host institution (exception is for standard studentships with associate partner where you will spend time at each of the listed supervisor’s institutions).
• You will need to live in the UK and be in reasonable travel to your host institution. This is to ensure you receive adequate support and contact with your supervisor, access to training and facilities and to be in contact with your research group and other students. There may be periods of time where you may be away (either within the UK or outside the UK) for example, placements, conferences and training, which is acceptable.
• As a cohort based programme with an integrated taught first year, there is one formal programme start date at your institution (this will either be late September or early October depending on your institution).
• To support access to bioscience PhDs, we do not accept applications from applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD (or equivalent).
• This is a 4 year PhD programme, and you are expected to submit your thesis within 4 years (4 years based on a full‑time equivalent).

Selection process

Please see our website for further information.