Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
450 research degree projects
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Ocean and earth science
How does turbulence drive upwelling in the deep-ocean? Insights from new sensing technology
Recent work has highlighted the importance of turbulent mixing in the ocean bottom boundary layer in upwelling the dense waters formed at high latitudes. This project will use cutting-edge sensors, including optical fibres along the seafloor, to provide a new window on near-bottom ocean turbulence. -
Ocean and earth science
FUTURESCAPES: Alternative plausible future scenarios of land use for planet Earth
The goal of the FUTURESCAPES project is to develop a range of plausible global scenarios, broader than currently exists, for future land-use change arising from interactions between climate extremes and technological and social innovations, to increase our understanding of global future risks and opportunities. -
Ocean and earth science
From carbon cycling to microstructure: echinoderms as a control on global climate and ocean biogeochemistry
Sea urchins and the echinoderms more broadly probably biomineralise as much calcium carbonate as coral reefs, although they have received a fraction of the attention. This project will investigate the biomineralisation process of these organisms and determine the extent to which echinoderms drive, as well as respond to, environmental change -
Ocean and earth science
Field metabolic rates of marine fishes across global latitude gradients
Predicting how fishes will respond to climate change depends on a clear understanding of the mechanisms that link performance in the wild to temperature. This project uses novel metabolic proxy tools to unravel the energetic cost of living across global latitudinal and climate gradients. -
Ocean and earth science
Phytoplankton diversity: changes in community composition and function in the NE Atlantic
The NE Atlantic Ocean is warming, and consequently plankton communities are shifting towards smaller cells. This project will investigate how physical environmental conditions drive changes in phytoplankton composition, primary production and the impacts on the sinking organic carbon transported and stored in deeper waters. -
Chemistry | Engineering
Luminescent Sensing and Destruction of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) using Lanthanide Complexes
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a family of man-made substances known as ‘forever chemicals’, which persist for decades in nature. The project will use luminescent lanthanide complexes for the detection, sensing, and destruction of these environmental hazards. This PhD project will span from molecular systems to scaled-up prototype sensing devices. -
Biological sciences
Investigating the effects of environmental change on tropical montane bats
PhD opportunity to investigate the impact of environmental change on tropical montane bats in Malaysia. The project combines ecological research methods and pollen analysis to study bat community composition, pollination network, and environmental influences. Ideal for candidates with a background in tropical ecology. -
Ocean and earth science
Blowing in the wind. Tracing the transport of diatoms to Antarctic ice cores
The Westerly Winds are among the main drivers of climate variability in the Southern Hemisphere. This PhD will contribute to the development of a novel Antarctic ice core proxy for reconstructing past westerly wind changes. It involves determining the environmental conditions and mechanisms enabling the transport of particles to Antarctica. -
Ocean and earth science
Biological glues vs turbulence: what controls particle aggregation in high latitude oceans?
Aggregation of organic particles to form “marine snow” can produce significant export pulses that contribute to ocean carbon storage. This project will analyse unique datasets of biological glues, turbulence and particle characteristics collected in high latitude environments to assess the drivers of aggregation and quantify its influence on carbon export. -
Ocean and earth science
Assessing sedimentary Blue Carbon to inform marine management
Marine sediments contain massive amounts of ‘blue carbon’ isolated from the atmosphere for millennia. Net carbon flux into sediments and the influence of human activity and changing climate is poorly quantified. You will investigate factors influencing the accumulation, loss and fate of carbon in sediments to inform marine management strategies.