Fully-funded PhD studentships with the CROCUS NERC Doctoral Landscape Award

The CROCUS NERC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) at the University of Reading and Swansea University invites applications for up to 23 fully funded PhD studentships starting in September 2025 via two routes:

1. The 61 exciting PhD projects to choose from can be found on our available projects page, including projects in atmospheric and ocean sciences, the cryosphere, aquatic sciences, hydrology and soil science, and ecology and biodiversity. International candidates are eligible for this route; up to 6 studentships may be awarded to international candidates.
2. For candidates eligible for Home fees who identify as being from a Black, Asian, or Minoritised Ethnic background, we offer up to 2 scholarships across our partnership. For further details, see our dedicated BAME scholarships page. International candidates are not eligible for this route.

The deadline for applications is Monday 20 January 2025, 1200 GMT.

For further details on how to apply for a Crocus PhD, please visit our website.

About CROCUS

CROCUS stands for “NERC Climate system and biodiversity science for Challenges, Risks, and pportunities - Collaborating in Understanding and Solutions”. It is a partnership is led by the University of Reading with Swansea University, UKCEH, BGS, NOC, Kew, NHM, IoZ, NCAS and NCEO. The University of Reading and Swansea University have a proven track record in training PhD students in the environmental sciences, with over 180 PhDs graduating across the environmental sciences since 2019, many in collaboration with our partner organisations. Our partnership is complemented by more than 20 collaborative partners across industry and government, including the UK Met Office, Forest Research, and Natural England.

CROCUS aims to train a new generation of environmental scientists to become:

• Interdisciplinary experts with strong quantitative skills:
  Your supervisors will support you in developing in-depth subject knowledge, while our CROCUS Computational Pathways will equip you with the skills to analyse and manage big data and develop software. You will be encouraged and supported to undertake a 3-month placement with partners across the public, private and third sectors. Our CROCUS collaborative training opportunities will develop wider skills and experiences preparing you for diverse careers
• Entrepreneurial, creative thinkers:
  You will have access to unique graduate-level courses and workshops run by our Host Partners, multi-day residential events, work shadowing and outreach opportunities. In your first year, our residential workshop around the UN Sustainable Development Goals will train you in knowledge exchange, linking the environmental sciences to policy and industry R&D. In your second year, you will join a challenge-led Tiger Teams, working with one of our collaborative partners to solve a problem or explore a new data product.
• Leaders in sustainability and inclusivity:
  You will be trained in outreach opportunities and take part in public science festivals, interactions with the media, and hosting school visits. You will be guided and supported by our dedicated CROCUS Leadership Team and will receive support at each of our Host Partner organisations.

To find out more about Crocus, please visit: https://crocus-dla.ac.uk/

For information on recruitment routes, please visit https://crocus-dla.ac.uk/apply-for-a-crocus-phd/