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Postgraduate Research

• MSc(Res) projects 2026

  We offer an MSc(Res) Earth and Environmental Sciences. The course is 1-year full time or 2-years part time. Students engage in a full time research project and write a dissertation.  Current projects are listed on our dedicated MSc(Res) project webpage.

• Fully-Funded PhD projects open for applications!

  Fully-Funded projects open for applications 

  Full-fully funded PhD projects open for applications are listed below. Please contact the supervisors if you have questions about the projects. 

  School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Projects

  The morphodynamics and palaeohydraulics of ancient large tropical rivers (PDF)
  Supervisor: Dr Rhodri Jerrett (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Alex Whittaker (Imperial College), Dr Catherine Rose (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr Robert Duller (Liverpool)
  
  When the sky fell and the swamps Spoke: the far-field stratigraphic record of Deccan volcanism (PDF)
  Supervisor: Dr Rhodri Jerrett (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Eva Stüeken (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr James Barnet (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Professor Gregory Price (Plymouth), Professor Andrea Burke (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  Deadline: 28th February 2026

  Tracking basin-scale phosphorus cycling across the Great Oxidation Event
  Supervisor: Dr Eva Stüeken (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all life as we know it. It’s availability controls primary productivity over geological timescales (Tyrell, 1999) and thus impacts biogeochemical fluxes, including O2 production by cyanobacteria. Phosphorus may thus have played a significant role in pacing the oxygenation of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans (Dodd et al. 2025; Alcott et al. 2022). However, phosphorus concentrations in the Precambrian ocean across the Great Oxidation Event are poorly constrained with estimates ranging over five orders of magnitude (see review in Boden et al. 2024). The aim of this project is to resolve this large uncertainty with a new basin-scale approach that also accounts for phosphorus redox speciation. Reduced phosphorus has recently moved into focus as it may have been a significant constituent of the Precambrian phosphorus inventory (Baidya et al. 2025). New samples will be analysed from multiple sedimentary facies, spanning the GOE. We will use a combination of techniques for sequential extraction of phosphate and phosphite phases. The project is expected to yield new important insights into the habitability of Earth’s early oceans and the major sources and sinks of bioessential nutrients across this time period.

  Deadline: 20th March 2026

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  Supervisor: Dr Sami Mikhail (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Lydia Hallis (Glasgow), Dr Eva Stüeken (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr Nicholas Gardiner (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Eva Stüeken (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Professor Darren Gröcke (Durham), Aivo Lepland (Geological Survey of Norway)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Gardiner (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Nick Roberts (British Geological Survey), Professor Richard White (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr Joshua Garber (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Professor Tony Kemp (University of Western Australia), Professor Hugh Smithies (Geological Survey of Western Australia)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Simon Lee (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Christopher Taylor (United Kingdom Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), Dr Michael Byrne (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr Nick Dunstone (Met Office Hadley Centre)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Robert Steele (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Professor Kevin Burton (Durham), Dr Paul Savage (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Rhodri Jerrett (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisor: Dr Amanda Owen (Glasgow), Dr Ruth Robinson (Honorary, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Hana Jurikova (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisors: Professor Darren Mark (Glasgow), Dr James Rae (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  
  Supervisor: Professor Andrea Burke (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisor: Dr Liz Thomas (British Antarctic Survey)

  
  Supervisor: Professor Adrian Finch (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisor: Dr Madeleine Humphreys (Durham)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Graeme MacGilchrist (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisors: Dr Kate Hendry (British Antarctic Survey), Dr T J Young (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Professor Mike Meredith (British Antarctic Survey), Dr James Rae (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Nicola Allison (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-Supervisors: Dr Cees van der Land (Newcastle), Dr Xuefei Chen (Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Professor Jody Webster (Sydney)

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  Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Gardiner (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: A/Professor Jens Andersen (Camborne School of Mines), Professor Laurence Robb (Oxford)

  
  Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Gardiner (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Dr Nick Roberts & Dr Kathryn Goodenough (British Geological Survey); Dr Joshua Garber (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Collaborators: Professor Tony Kemp (Western Australia), Professor Hugh Smithies (Geological Survey of Western Australia)

  
  Supervisor: Dr William McCarthy (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø);
  Co-supervisors: Professor Sandra Piaxolo (Leeds), Dr Zoja Vukmanovic (East Anglia), Professor Richards Bates (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), Dr Damon Stanwell-Smith

• Research supervisors

  If you are interested in PhD study at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, you must contact the academic responsible for supervising your target project to discuss your suitability, qualifications, and funding potential.  Applications should not be submitted without first contacting a potential supervisor.

  Successful applicants will be provided with a primary and secondary supervisor or mentor. You can expect to form a close working relationship with your supervisors, meeting regularly throughout your time in the School. Supervisors are responsible for overseeing both your research and your broader career development.

• How to apply

  Applicants must contact the main supervisor named on the project or a member of the academic staff before submitting an application.

  Academic

  The School requires a 2.1 or above UK undergraduate Honours degree (or overseas equivalent). 

  Supporting documents

  The following documents are mandatory:

  • CV or résumé - this should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
  • Academic transcript(s) along with certified degree certificates if available.
  • Two signed academic references – these should not be provided by your proposed supervisor(s).
  • Personal/motivational statement – maximum 1,000 words, include why you have chosen ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the particular project.  Also explain how your current study and future career plans fit with the project.  The selection committee and external funding bodies put great emphasis on this statement, so it is important it clearly applies to your chosen project.  If you apply to more than one project, provide a personal statement for each.
  • English language certificate if applicable (see below)
  • A sample of written work.

  The School does not require a research proposal.

  English language proficiency

  Non-native English speaking applicants must attain an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 minimum in individual elements. TOEFL (iBT) with a score of 100 may also be accepted. For further information, see English language requirements and In-sessional English language services.

  Apply now

  Further details of entry requirements, application procedures and to apply can be found on the postgraduate application page.