Job offer Environmental Biosciences : Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Bioengineering the seagra[...]

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY; Swansea; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK offers an exciting PhD opportunity in ecological modelling focused on bee population dynamics. Candidates will engage in hands-on research, including lab experiments and data analysis. Applicants must have a relevant first-class or upper second-class degree and be locally accessible. The scholarship covers full tuition and an annual stipend at UKRI rates.

Benefits

Full tuition coverage

Annual stipend at UKRI rate

Qualifications

• Must live in reasonable travel distance to Swansea.
• Ph.D. candidates should have a strong background in ecological science.
• Willingness to engage in fieldwork and lab experiments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to assess bee population dynamics.
• Develop mathematical models using experimental results.
• Analyze large datasets relating to pesticide impact.

Skills

Research and analytical skills

Programming for ecological simulations

Experimental design

Data analysis

Education

First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree in relevant field

Master's degree or significant relevant experience for Lower Second Class degree holders

Job description

Funding

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).

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).

Project Overview

This project offers an 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., Undergraduate, 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.

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.

Scholarship Details

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