PhD studentships in Biological Sciences and Geosciences (QUADRAT DTP)

Applications are invited for UKRI funded PhD studentships starting 1^st October 2023

The deadline for applications is Friday 9^th December 2022

QUADRAT DTP brings together two research and teaching centres of excellence in biological sciences and geosciences. The University of Aberdeen is a world class multidisciplinary research and training institution and Queen’s University Belfast is a Russell Group University with an international reputation for world class research.

Each year, we award approximately 20 studentships to exceptional students, providing funding to support Doctoral studies for PhD programmes. Our research themes of Biodiversity, Earth Systems and Environmental Management allow for an integration of both theoretical and applied projects capable of addressing the most significant environmental and societal challenges we face now and in the future. The QUADRAT DTP vision is to equip students with the skills, outlook, purpose and holistic understanding to lead, communicate and translate innovative cross-disciplinary research that meets the challenges associated with the effective management of the natural environment; and position our graduates as the next generation of scientific leaders in academia, industry and policy development.

Projects will be supervised by a team of academic staff in the following areas:

• Biodiversity
• Earth Systems
• Environmental Management

Eligibility

QUADRAT studentships are open to UK nationals and international candidates (EU and non-EU) in the 2023/4 academic year. Funding for this programme will cover UK tuition fees/stipend only.

International students should note that we are only able to award a limited number of studentships to international applicants (including EU nationals). These full studentships for international applicants will only be awarded to exceptional quality applicants, due to the competitive nature of this scheme. Successful international candidates will receive a fee waiver for the difference between UK level and International Level tuition fees. International candidates are therefore not expected to fund this ‘fee gap’ themselves.

Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject. Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree may be considered providing they have a Distinction at Master’s level. Please note that a Masters degree is only required where the BSc grade is below a 2.1.

Fees and Funding

QUADRAT DTP students are funded for a minimum of 3.5 years (up to 7 years part-time), to start on 1^st October 2023.

QUADRAT studentships are open to UK and overseas candidates. Funding covers:

• A monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs, based on UKRI rates (currently £17,668 pa for 2022/23, updated annually)
• Fees (home rate tuition fees and/or fee waiver for overseas fees, where applicable)
• Research and Training Costs (£9,000)

QUADRAT funding does not cover visa costs, immigration health surcharge or any other costs associated with relocation to the UK. International candidates should ensure they are able to meet these costs, if successful, before applying to the DTP.

What to do next

For more information, please visit our website, or scroll down to view our available projects listed on FindAPhD. Candidates can apply for a maximum of 2 QUADRAT projects in the 2023/24 recruitment cycle.

Please visit our funding and eligibility and HOW TO APPLY webpages for full details before submitting your application.

We advise all applicants to contact and discuss the project content with the relevant project supervisor.

It is anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be called for interview between Monday 27^th February and Friday 3^rd March 2023. Interviews are expected to be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Available Projects