Cambridge C-CLEAR NERC DTP PhD Studentships

University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey

Starting in October 2023

Location: Cambridge
The Cambridge Climate Life and Earth (C-CLEAR) NERC DTP provides PhD training across NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) science remit. Embedded in the outstanding research environment of the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), C-CLEAR is organised around three major research themes: Biology and Conservation, Climate Change and Environmental Processes, and Solid Earth and Geological Hazards.

The C-CLEAR DTP is offering at least 12 3.5 year fully-funded PhD studentships to start in October 2023. Hosting partners in Cambridge are:

Students in the C-CLEAR cohort engage in research projects of global significance across NERC science, and receive high-quality training in research, professional, technical and transferable skills through a focused core programme. Training is guided by personalised advice and the expertise of a network of partners in industry, government, the third sector and beyond.

Applicants should have:

• at least a 2.1 in an Honours degree from a UK University or equivalent standard from an EU or Overseas University (e.g. CGPA 3.5/4.0) in a relevant subject;
• two outstanding academic references from University staff ideally at your most recent University; and
• fluency in the English language – further information on the University’s requirements can be viewed here.

For more details on the University’s academic requirements see here.

The NERC C-CLEAR DTP and University of Cambridge actively support equality, diversity and inclusion and we encourage applications from eligible applicants from all sections of society, particularly from universities and backgrounds that may be underrepresented at the University of Cambridge.

For a full list of projects and information on how to apply see the C-CLEAR DTP website. The application deadline is Thursday 5 January 2023 at 12:00 pm noon GMT (including supporting documents, ie. references). If you are interested in working with a particular supervisor or on a particular topic, please see our searchable list of projects here.

Funding information:

UK students will be eligible for a full NERC studentship. The standard terms and conditions for UKRI training funding and related guidance can be found here. A full studentship will cover the cost of fees plus the standard UKRI maintenance allowance (for 2022/23 this is £17,668 pa).

The C-CLEAR NERC DTP will be able to offer a limited number of studentships to international students (EU and non-EU), and funding from UKRI will cover fees at the UK rate and the standard maintenance allowance to support living costs. The take-up of an offer from C-CLEAR may be subject to students obtaining additional funding to cover the difference between the home fee and the international fee, and for this reason we strongly recommend that international students make clear on their Cambridge application form that they wish to be considered for other funding (such as the Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust) as well as the DTP in order to bridge this gap. More information about fee status is available here.

Please note that EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefitting from Citizens’ Rights (under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively), and Irish nationals living in the UK and Ireland (whose right to study and to access benefits and services will be preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement), will continue to be treated as Home students for the purposes of Research Council funding.

Information about how to apply and the application timeline can be found here.

If you have any questions, we're happy to help. Contact Lizzie Burgess or the departmental Postgraduate Administrators for your chosen project(s).