PhD: Kelp Farm Ecosystem Services for Coastal Protection

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Home fees covered

Tax-free annual living allowance £21,?

Award duration 3.5 years

Job summary

Newcastle University invites applications for a prestigious PhD studentship focusing on kelp ecosystem services. The project involves collating evidence, assessing wave attenuation by farmed kelp, and quantifying nutrient uptake/removal while modelling ecosystem services over space and time.

The award covers UK Home fees and provides a tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate) for 3.5 years, with start date 4 January 2027 and closing date 18 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 Honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (e.g. Marine Biology, Ecology, Biology).
• HSE SCUBA diving qualification or CMAS 3* or above is required.

Responsibilities

• Collate existing evidence on kelp ecosystem service provision.
• Determine the wave attenuation potential of farmed kelp.
• Quantify the role of kelp in uptake and removal of nutrients.
• Model kelp ecosystem services through space and time.

Skills

SCUBA diving

Marine Biology background

Education

2:1 Honours degree in Marine Biology/Ecology/Biology

Job description

Newcastle University invites applications for a prestigious PhD studentship focusing on kelp ecosystem services. The project involves collating evidence, assessing wave attenuation by farmed kelp, and quantifying nutrient uptake/removal while modelling ecosystem services over space and time.

The award covers UK Home fees and provides a tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate) for 3.5 years, with start date 4 January 2027 and closing date 18 November 2026.