PhD scholarship, peatland fire management - Plymouth, UK

Past Global Changes; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental research organization is offering a 3.5-year PhD scholarship focusing on peatland fire management in Plymouth. This opportunity includes training in modern ecological techniques and collaboration with Natural England. Candidates with degrees in Geography or Environmental Science are encouraged to apply. The position aims to enhance understanding of fire resilience in ecosystems. Applications are open until January 7, 2026.

Qualifications

• A degree in Geography, Environmental Science, or related is required.
• Experience in long-term ecology and fieldwork is desirable.
• Enthusiasm for environmental research and data analysis is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct microscopic pollen and charcoal analysis.
• Participate in carbon flux monitoring and data analysis.
• Attend training courses on vegetation, climate, and fire modelling.

Skills

Analytical skills

GIS software proficiency

R programming

Fieldwork experience

Education

Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, or related

Tools

ArcGIS Online

Statistical software (R)

Job description

PhD scholarship, peatland fire management - Plymouth, UK

Peatlands on the edge: integrating modern and long‑term ecology to inform UK peatland fire management in a changing climate.

Applications are invited for a 3.5‑year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2026.

The closing date for applications is 7 January 2026.

Read here for more: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/postgraduate-research-studentships/peatlands-on-the-edge-integrating-modern-and-long-term-ecology-to-inform-uk-peatland-fire-management-in-a-changing-climate

The research will be based within two National Parks (Peak District and Dartmoor) facing current and future wildfire challenges. This project will use past environmental indicators to investigate the relationships between vegetation (pollen analysis(4)), fire activity (micro‑charcoal analysis), climate, and carbon accumulation over centennial to millennial timescales to understand long‑term patterns of change that lead to greater ecosystem resilience to fire(2). Remote‑sensing will be used to evaluate patterns of peatland disturbance, vegetation loss and post‑disturbance recovery. Fire modelling techniques will be used to predict biomass and burned areas under different climate and fire frequency scenarios integrating past and modern ecological data(5). Spatial analysis and mapping techniques will be used to generate outputs with ArcGIS Online.

Tasks

The supervisory team will provide training in microscopic pollen and charcoal analysis, carbon flux monitoring and data analysis. You will attend training courses on vegetation, climate and fire modelling. Time will be spent with a partner organisation (Natural England) developing multidisciplinary skills. You will learn to use a range of computer software (e.g. GIS) and R programming.

Requirements

Seeking an enthusiastic individual with a degree in Geography, Environmental Science and related disciplines. Students from numerical disciplines are also encouraged to apply. Experience of long‑term ecology and/or fieldwork is desirable. Alternative modes of working (desk‑based research using existing databases) are available to accommodate personal circumstances.

Applications

The closing date for applications is 7 January 2026.

You must submit one application per studentship; you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Before applying, please ensure you have read the Doctoral College’s general information on applying for a postgraduate research degree.

For more information on the admissions process please contact [e-mail].

Read more here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/postgraduate-research-studentships/peatlands-on-the-edge-integrating-modern-and-long-term-ecology-to-inform-uk-peatland-fire-management-in-a-changing-climate