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We have 18 Ecology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for European Students (exc UK) in the UK

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I am a European student


Ecology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for European Students (exc UK) in the UK

We have 18 Ecology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for European Students (exc UK) in the UK

An Ecology PhD would give you the chance to study the relationships between organisms and their environment, through a model species, field work, or mathematical modelling. Whatever you study, from population ecology to how plants are affected by the soil ecosystem, you’ll be aiming to develop methods of reducing or mitigating any negative impacts environmental changes may be having.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Ecology?

Studying a PhD in Ecology, you’ll gain a variety of skills since Ecology draws on techniques from many subjects including Geology, Microbiology and Bioinformatics.

Some typical research topics in Ecology include:

  • Studying the effect of an environmental factor e.g. urbanisation is affecting a species
  • Developing models to estimate the impact of environmental changes to organisms
  • Investigating how the interaction between species has evolved
  • Population ecology, studying the dynamics of a population including interactions with environment, birth, death, and immigration rates
  • Developing methods of mitigating adverse effects of altering the environment on the species it contains
  • Focused study on a particular ecosystem and its species (overlap with Biodiversity)

In a general workday, you’ll be conducting field work and analysing previous data or if you’re project involves Bioinformatics, you’ll be writing programmes and using methods from statistics and data science to analyse large datasets. Discussing your results, progress and problems with your supervisor and colleagues.

Your PhD will end with the submission of a thesis (approximately 60,000 words in length) that significantly contributes to the knowledge of your field, and a viva exam, in which you’ll defend your research.

Ecology PhD programmes are generally advertised projects with full funding attached, with the project proposal written by the supervisor. However, for some advertised projects you must find your own source of funding, which can be difficult due to additional bench fees, though these may not be as high as more laboratory-based subjects, it is still an extra cost to cover. This difficulty also makes proposing your own project in Ecology uncommon.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for most Ecology PhD programmes involve a Masters in a subject directly related to Biology, with experience in Environmental Biology desirable, at Merit or Distinction level. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need to show that you have the right level of language proficiency.

PhD in Ecology funding options

The research council responsible for funding Ecology PhDs in the UK is the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). They provide fully-funded studentships including a stipend for living costs, a consumables budget for bench fees and a tuition fee waiver. Students don’t apply directly to the BBSRC, you apply for advertised projects with this funding attached.

It’s difficult for Ecology PhD students to be ‘self-funded’ due to the additional bench fees. However, if you were planning to fund yourself it might be achievable (depending on your project) through the UK government’s PhD loan and part-time work.

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Convex Seascape Survey – Effects of seabed disturbances and protection on uptake and storage of seascape carbon

Location. Distance learning in department of Ecology & Conservation, Penryn Campus, Cornwall. Students will be based in country of fieldwork (South Africa) enrolled as University of Exeter students, distance learning with periods of time spent on campus. Read more
Last chance to apply

Musculoskeletal adaptations to extreme biting in birds

Birds represent one of the most spectacular adaptive radiations in earth’s history, with over 10,000 extant species spanning a range of ecologies and environments. Read more

From recovery to coexistence: future scenarios for British carnivores

Location. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall. The University of Exeter’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully funded by the Vincent Wildlife Trust and the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy. Read more

PhD opportunities in the Department of Geography

Department of Geography. With an international reputation for research excellence, the department offers exciting opportunities to conduct research that has a real global impact. Read more
Last chance to apply

Behavioural Responses of Tadpoles to Multiple Stressors using a Field-based Approach.

Project description. Biodiversity loss is occurring at an alarming rate and associations between declines and multiple interacting stressors have been demonstrated from a wide range of taxa. Read more

Doctorate by Design in Landscape Architecture

The Doctorate by Design from the University of Sheffield, is the first PhD programme in the UK in which you can combine creative practice, with critical analysis in Landscape Architecture. Read more

Research opportunities in the Department of Politics

The Department of Politics is at the heart of current thinking, research and debate, and home to a prestigious, lively and international community. Read more

PhD opportunities in Pollution Research and Policy

Help shape new policies and regulatory priorities for pollution control and protect human health and the environment from harmful chemical pollution. Read more

PhD opportunities in Global Challenges at Brunel University London

Make an impact on the most important decisions made around the world today for a better future tomorrow. Conduct cutting-edge research at Brunel University London. Read more

Microbial and biogeochemical processes through the ocean-sediment continuum

  Research Group: Earth Surface Science
The interface between the ocean and subseafloor sediments is a critical boundary that influences life in the deep biosphere, the transport and transformation of organic carbon and nutrients, and the global carbon cycle. Read more

Microbial activity on glaciers and ice sheets: an integrated modelling and empirical approach.

  Research Group: Earth Surface Science
Glaciers and ice sheets are important microbe-dominated ecosystems, that are undergoing rapid changes due to climate change. Supraglacial (glacier surface) ecosystems contain organisms from all three domains of life, which drive carbon and nutrient cycling, and cause ice darkening, thus enhancing ice mass loss. Read more

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