phd in ecology uk

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PhD/MPhil Ecology and Evolution / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).

Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals , including learning which relates to:

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Goal 13: climate action, goal 14: life below water, goal 15: life on land, programme options, programme description.

Research in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences covers three main research themes ; earth and planetary science, environment and society, and life on earth.

Understanding the ecology and evolution of life on Earth is a fundamental research challenge and of central importance for most areas of the environmental sciences. For example, our researchers use ecology and evolutionary biology techniques for conservation biology and informing wildlife management.

We use ecological approaches to study organisms ranging from the smallest microorganisms to the largest plants and animals. In particular, we research how plants grow, how the environment affects plants, and how they interact with the soil ecosystems. Our research is contributing to growing understanding of the impacts of human activities on natural communities and on how we can improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Furthermore, we study the ecology of microbial communities, which is critical the function of all ecosystems.

The principles of evolutionary biology allow us to understand biodiversity, disease outbreaks and competition of invasive species. Research in evolutionary biology employs a range of theoretical, computational and experimental approaches to understand and predict the structure and behaviour of biological systems.

A particular focus is on metabolic responses to environmental change, the role of genetic mutations in microevolutionary processes and the impacts of natural and sexual selection on the morphology and behaviour of organisms. Our research involves evolutionary genetics and genomics, phyologenetics, molecular and genome evolution, organismal and behavioural evolution, and population genetics.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Band A £4,786; Band B £7,000; Band C £10,000; Band D £14,500; Band E £24,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £28,000; Band B £30,000; Band C £35,500; Band D £43,000; Band E £57,000
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Band A £2393; Band B £3,500; Band C £5,000; Band D £7,250; Band E 12,250 International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £14,000; Band B £15,000; Band C £17,750; Band D £21,500; Band E £28,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Contact details

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Earth and Environmental Sciences

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You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in ecology.

13 degrees at 10 universities in the UK.

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Related subjects:

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Ecology MPhil/PhD

University of worcester.

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,950 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,475 per year (UK)
• RSDP4001: Developing as a Researcher
• RSDP4003: Approaches to Research 2
• RSDP4002: Approaches to Research 1
• RSDP4004: Planning Your Research Project
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Ecology and environmental management PhD

University of brighton.

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

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• 5 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
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Genetics PhD, MPhil - Plant Biodiversity

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• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD

University of nottingham.

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)

Biodiversity Management (by Research) PhD

University of kent, institute for global prosperity mphil/phd, ucl (university college london).

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
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Ecology, conservation and zoonosis PhD

Population & ecosystems health phd, biology - biodiversity phd, mphil, phd evolution and ecology, university of lincoln.

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,830 per year (UK)
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Biological Sciences (Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour) PhD

University of liverpool.

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Ecology and Evolution

University of manchester, course type:.

• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

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Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis PhD

As a PhD student in these disciplines, you will benefit from membership of the university's Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group .

The group has a wide range of staff with expertise in topics that range from assessing the impacts of human actions such as pollution and waste on physiology and behaviour of animals, the consequences of land and species management on wildlife populations and investigating interactions between humans and wildlife in relation to human and animal health and wellbeing.

Our PhD graduates have gone on to work in many areas of education, ecology, conservation and environment. For example, some of our previous PhD students now work as university academics, postdocs in research institutes, ecological consultants and in conservation organisations.

Apply to 'Pharmacy & biomolecular sciences' in the portal

Key Information

As a Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis PhD student at the University of Brighton you will benefit from:

• a supervisory team comprising 2-3 members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional external supervisor from another School, research institution, or industry. 
• desk space and access to a desktop PC, either in one of the postgraduate offices on the sixth floor of the award-winning Cockcroft Building. 
• access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the Aldrich Library and other campus libraries.
• access to state-of-the-art research facilities on the Moulsecoomb site, including electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, computer simulations and electrochemistry, all of which are available to research students. 
• support from postdoctoral researchers, visiting fellows and technical staff with dedicated genetics and ecology labs and a greenhouse. 
• access to facilities, expertise and skills across the applied ecology and environmental areas from the School of Applied Sciences

Research environment

Research in ecology conservation and zoonosis in the School of Applied Sciences is unique in that the staff expertise is diverse allowing for unique collations between aspects of wildlife biology and ecology and human health. 

Our staff include ecologists, geneticists, zoologists, molecular biologists, microbiologists, entomologists, avian ecologists, fish biologists, ecotoxicologists, botanists, herpetologists GIS specialists and behavioural ecologists. In the school we have a thriving postgraduate community of over 30 PhD students, supervised by subject specialists from across the life and physical sciences. 

We are particularly interested in supervising projects across the following themes: 

• Conservation Biology
• Conservation Genetics
• Biodiversity
• Avian Conservation
• Human-Wildlife Interactions
• Ecosystem Services
• Behavioural Ecology
• Urban Ecology
• Wetland Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
• Aquatic Biology and Ecology
• Fisheries Biology
• Ecotoxicology
• Microbiology
• Wildlife Disease
• Molecular Ecology

Supervisory interests

Dr maureen berg.

I am keen to supervise projects that examine the effects of management and changing abiotic and biotic conditions on plant community, functional traits, physiology and multitrophic diversity. I am keen to use a range of novel approaches such as genomics, remote sensing, drones and red edge sensor camera.  Projects that I have supervised include 

• Extreme climate events and floodplain grassland plant communities: linking resilience to functional diversity (PhD)
• Understanding the demographics and genetic patterns of water voles in human modified landscapes (PhD)
• Influence of the distribution of green urban spaces on the cooling effect (MRes)

Dr Corina Ciocan

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in the area of ecotoxicology/marine biology:  pollutants impact on marine organisms, biomarkers of stress in aquatic invertebrates, microplastics as vector for marine pollutants, transgenerational effects of aquatic pollutants.  

Dr Ian Cooper

I am interested in supervising Masters and PhD students in the following areas: microbiology, healthcare, antibiotics, antimicrobials, bacteriophages, quorum-sensing, biofilms, water pollution, drinking water, waste water, zoonoses, environmental microbiology.

Dr Neil Crooks

I am keen to supervise projects that examine any aspect of anthropogenic impact on the physiology, morphology and behaviour of aquatic organisms. Be that chemical or physical pollutants or barriers to migration. I am especially interested in the fisheries management aspects of this and how best to consider mitigation. Projects I have supervised are varied and range from behavioural observations of captive fish species, to microplastic ingestion of the mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the velvet swimming crab (Necora puber). In addition I am interested in aspects of aquaculture and how best to improve the sustainability of feeds. I also have an interest in the welfare of cultured individuals and how to improve habitats whilst being reared.

Example projects that I supervise include the following:

Microplastic pollution within Chichester Harbour (MRes)

Selective breeding of marine copepods (MRes)

Trophic transfer of microplastics in marine invertebrates (MRes).

Does watercress farming impact fish communities (PhD)

The impacts of sewage treatment effluents on the river shrimp Gammarus pulex (PhD).

The effects of simvastatin on the development and behaviour of early life stages of Danio rerio (Undergraduate)

Microplastic ingestion of marine copepods (Undergraduate)

The presence of microplastic fibres in the stomach of the Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) (Undergraduate)

The effects of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide on fish development and behaviour (Undergraduate).

The influence of aquarium visitors on captive elasmobranchs (Undergraduate).

Sexual dimorphism of the integument of sharks (Undergraduate).

Prof James Ebdon

To date I have overseen the supervision, career development and successful completion of 12 doctoral students from the UK, Italy, Portugal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil and India. These PhD's have covered a range of topics such as 'Bacteriophages as Surrogates of Viral Pathogens in Wastewater Treatment Systems (Dias 2016)', Ecological Characteristics of the Enterococcal Surface Protein (esp) gene with reference to microbial source tracking (Yaliwal 2014); Low-cost physico-chemical disinfection of human excreta in emergency settings (Sozzi 2015); Bacteriophages as Indicators of Human Enteric Viruses in Mussels (Da Silva 2013); and UV Radiation Response of Bacteriophages of Human-specific Bacteroides (Diston, 2010) .

I am currently supervising a water industry-funded PhD student who is using cutting-edge source apportionment approaches to investigate drivers of pollution in Chichester, Langstone and Pagham harbours (S. England) and have just finished supervising a PhD on Pollution, plastics and plumes; understanding the behaviour of microplastics in aquatic sediments of the R. Thames catchment.

I'm keen to supervise postgraduate research (MRes/MPhil/PhDs) in the following areas: development and application of low-cost and/or rapid water quality monitoring tools; behaviour of micro-contaminants (particularly viruses) within the environment and impacts on human health; understanding environmental interactions of emerging contaminants; water and sanitation within low-income and/or emergency settings.

According to French Physiologist Claude Bernard - "The science of life is a superb and dazzlingly lighted hall which may be reached only by passing through a long and ghastly kitchen." Anyone who has undertaken a doctoral degree is likely to agree with this analogy (at least at some point during their journey). As a PhD supervisor, I see my role as someone who can potentially make the kitchen a little less ghastly, or the journey slightly less arduous. I strive to provide a highly connected, supportive, nurturing international research environment with the Environment and Public Health Research and Enterprise Group.

I am currently supervising a further 3 PhD candidates. My PhD students have originated from an equally diverse range of disciplines including Fisheries Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Biomolecular Science, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Management, Mathematics and have worked for NGO’s in Haiti (MSF), on Gates Foundation-funded research in India, on US AID-funded research into safe excreta disposal in emergencies (Cholera and Ebola treatment centres), led MRC-funded projects in Kenya, founded research groups in Brazil, and managed prestigious research laboratories in the US.

All have gone on to forge careers within the burgeoning field of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and or microbiology, either via academia, or industry. The sustained success of our thriving research group stems from a blend of enthusiasm for the wider subject area and from a long-held desire to break down barriers, to ensure that epidemiologists mix with engineers, and microbiologists work with modellers. This has been achieved by exchanging PhD students (and Early Career Researchers) with trusted and established international project collaborators within the public, private and voluntary sectors.

I also maintain a rolling programme of group activities, training initiatives and social events for new arrivals into the group, which is increasingly populated by previous PhD students who are even better placed to support the career aspirations of our current and future Doctoral students. With unsafe water supply and sanitation responsible for an estimated 842,000 deaths per year, the WASH sector continues to face significant challenges, which are only likely to be met through interdisciplinary, cross-border collaboration by a new generation of WASH-focussed researchers, capable of confidently sharing ideas across a range scientific domains and via an increasingly complex network of stakeholders and end-users. I hope that as my students continue to emerge into the ‘dazzlingly lighted hall’ they are as well-rounded and well-placed as possible to meet this challenge.   

Dr Joao Inacio Silva

I am happy to collaborate in projects and supervise post-graduate students in the broad field of medical and pharmaceutical microbiology, with a particular emphasis for projects involving clinically-relevant fungi and involving other healthcare-associated and non-academic industrial partners.

Dr Angelo Pernetta

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in the following areas: understanding and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on species and communities, behavioural ecology and ecotoxicology; aquatic ecology and conservation; herpetology; island ecology; illegal wildlife trade.

Dr Anja Rott

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in the following areas: micro-plastics, tri-trophic interactions, field population dynamics, pollination ecology & biodiversity in the urban landscape.

Current PhD

currently none

Previous PhD

Niall Walkden (2019) Attitudes and perceptions of South African residents towards native vertebrate scavengers

Amanda Flint (2018) A temporal and spatial analysis of species co-occurrence patterns within a chalk heath community

Ute Vogler (2009) “The impact of transgenic apples on multitrophic interactions”

Johanna Häckermann (2007) “Biological elimination of Cydia molesta infestations from the orchard as a key component of an environmental friendly control”

Edward Connor (2007) “The plant’s contribution in guiding beneficial insectd to the site of caterpillar damage by chemical signalling”

Gudio Velten (2006) “Food chain legumes: combining natural resources for safe storage and favourable food processing”

Nadia Scaschighini (2004) “From the behavioural to the molecular level in insect-plant interactions: attraction of parasitic wasps by herbivore-induced plant chemical signals”

Previous MRes

Jo Middelton (2017) Ecological determinants of Lyme borreliosis risk in the South Downs National Park and the potential for one-health based interventions.

Sophie Bracken (2016) An evaluation of how a range of UK green roofs vary in terms of floral diversity and associated pollinator diversity.

Aaron White (2015) Agricultural influences on moth communities and their composition in ancient semi-natural woodlands and conifer plantations: Potential implications for management and native broadleaf re-establishment

Joanne Carnell (2015) Pollinator conservation and the value of domestic urban gardens.

Markus Jaskari (2013) Factors influencing pollination success of the Burnt Orchid Neotinea ustulata.

Robert Fowler (2011) Does pollen quality influence the floral acceptance and foraging effectiveness of bumblesbees.

Previous MSc

Severin Roffler (2006) Does the nesting material of Megachilidae bees contain antimicrobial substances? (joint MSc thesis in collaboration with Dr. M. Müller)

Susanne Brand (2005) Influence of chemical emissions of codling moth infested apples on Hyssopus pallidus.

Nayuta Brand (2004) Host location of Dinarmus basalis – the role of chemical cues emitted from beans.

Antonia Zurbuchen (2004 / 2005) Host location behaviour of Dinarmus basalis.

Johanna Häckermann (2003) The effect of seasonal variation in volatile emission from apples on the behaviour of the parasitoid Hyssopus pallidus.

Fatma Lüthi-Kivrak (2002 / 2003) Simulation of caterpillar feeding behaviour and analysis of artificially induced phytochemicals.

Dr Rachel White

Happy to supervise field, questionnaire, and desk-based projects. Passionate about avian ecology and conservation science, human-nature interactions, urban ecology, and patterns and drivers of extinction risk. 

Dr Inga Zeisset

I am happy to supervise projects in the area of molecular ecology as well as amphibian ecology and conservation. I am particularly interested in phylogeography and species distribution, invasive species and the application of eDNA methods to conservation.

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit  research staff on our research website.

Making an  application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our online application portal to begin.

Fees and funding

 Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2023–24

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page .

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

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The PhD degree is the Department of Earth Sciences' principal research degree for postgraduate students. As a large and integrated department, the expertise and current research of our staff spans the breadth of Earth Sciences. We have 37 academic staff who are available to supervise PhD students. 

We welcome research enquiries from students who are currently working toward, or have acquired, first degrees in: Earth Science subjects, physics, chemistry, mathematics, material science, biology, or other related subjects.

The Department of Earth Sciences is a partner in two Doctoral Training Programmes (outlined below), who award research-council-funded studentships. Other studentships are available through different funding sources. 

If you wish to find out more about a project or the Department, or want to discuss devising your own project with us, then please contact a relevant member of academic staff —you can discover their interests on our Research pages .

Cambridge C-CLEAR DTP

The Cambridge Climate Life and Earth Doctoral Training Partnership (C-CLEAR DTP) awards around 12 3.5-year NERC-funded PhD studentships each year to start in October.

A wide range of projects are available, within seven world-class departments and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), under the broad themes of:

• Solid Earth and geological hazards Mineral physics, sedimentary and earth surface processes, geophysics, tectonics including earthquake hazards, mantle and core processes, volcanism and volcanic hazards.
• Climate change and environmental processes Atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, climate processes, sea-level rise impacts, coastal flood and erosion hazards, palaeoclimate, solar-terrestrial processes, glaciology (land ice and sea ice), physical oceanography, carbon cycle and biogeochemistry.
• Biology and conservation Ecology, land use, population genetics, microbiology, physiology and adaptation, palaeobiology and conservation.

You can also search the complete list of PhD projects  (for October 2022) or view PhD projects within the Department of Earth Sciences .

For more information on this Doctoral Training Programme, including how to apply, please visit the  C-CLEAR DTP pages .

Cambridge AI4ER CDT

The Cambridge UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in the Application of Artificial Intelligence to the study of Environmental Risks (AI4ER)  offers around ten 4-year UKRI-funded PhD studentships each year to start in October. The programme comprises a one-year MRes (two terms taught, one term research), and a three-year PhD to apply AI methodologies.

A wide range of projects will be available under the broad themes of:

• Weather, climate, and air quality
• Natural hazards
• Natural resources (food, water and resource security, and biodiversity)

For more information on this Centre for Doctoral Training, including training structure and applying to the course, please visit the  AI4ER CDT pages .

Fully-funded studentships are also available at the  BPI Institute , and through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy Futures .

We are also happy to devise projects with you, particularly if the projects outlined above are not of interest and you have interests that we share. Explore our  Research pages to see which members of academic staff you would like to work with, and then contact them directly.

DTP studentships will be funded by UK research councils. Other studentships available in department will be funded by industry and several Cambridge Colleges. 

We also have a number of CASE awards, which involve direct links with industry partners.

Applications

Before applying, applicants are advised to contact the relevant member of academic staff for their chosen project to discuss your research interests.

To make a formal application for a PhD studentship, please go to the  University's Applicant Portal . When you complete the on-line application, you will have to indicate a college choice—it may help to discuss this choice with your prospective supervisor before submitting your application.

If you are applying from outside the UK, then please read our  PhD (Overseas Students)  page.

For questions related specifically to a project, please contact the relevant supervisor directly.

For more general information, please contact our  Postgraduate Admissions .

Quick links

Cambridge C-CLEAR DTP—Projects

EPSRC CDT in Nuclear Energy Futures

Postgraduate Admissions

Postgraduate Admissions—Applicant Portal

Postgraduate Admissions—Funding

Postgraduate Admissions—International

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PhD Opportunities

Available Studentships

Leverhulme funded phd position on plant-pollinator holobionts.

Supervisor: Dr Richard Gill , Dept. of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Imperial College London (ICL)

Co-supervisors & collaborators: Prof. Ian Barnes (NHM London), Dr Gavin Broad (NHM London), Dr Alan Buddie (CABI), Dr Peter Graystock (ICL)

Project Title: Fungal disease risks under landscape homogenisation: tracking fungal transmission across plant-pollinator networks using contemporary and historic museum specimens

Project Description: Mapping how microbial pathogens are vectored through ecological networks is important to understand how direct and indirect species interactions contribute to transmission dynamics. In the case of plant-pollinator networks, however, we understand little about how flowers act as pathogen transmission hubs and how pollinators act as pathogen vectors through complex networks. Furthermore, we know little about how fungal pathogens are transmitted through networks despite fungi posing significant risks to plant crop, wildflower, and insect pollinator brood health.

How landscape context can increase fungal transmission across modules of plant-pollinator networks is an important outstanding question. For example, landscape homogenisation now epitomises widespread habitat change driven primarily by agricultural intensification. This can lead to functional homogenisation across plant and pollinator communities, increasing the likelihood of pollinators sharing plant hosts and vice versa that may not have occurred historically (Fig. 1). This project will first ask whether transmission of fungal species previously restricted within specific pollinator taxonomic clades has become more prevalent across more distant evolutionary related clades. For instance, could fungal pathogens normally restricted to transmission between beetle pollinators hypothetically spill-over to bee clades? Second, could such an increased ‘reach’ of fungal pathogens across the pollinator community increase transmission risk to wildflowers and important flowering food crops?

This PhD will assess how fungal species are associated with plants and pollinators in contemporary networks when sampled across a landscape homogenisation gradient (varying levels of agricultural intensification). Then, through targeted sampling of museum specimens, we will determine historic fungal species prevalence in populations before major land-use transitions in agricultural intensification occurred (i.e., early 1900s). Evolutionary relationships between hosts will be considered to develop a more predictive framework and lay the foundation for exploring how fungal species that have evolved to increase transmission under increasingly functionally homogenised communities.

The student will be able to learn a variety of skills, including employing modern DNA sequencing approaches and ancient DNA-techniques, handling big data, script writing and developing bioinformatic pipelines, conduct fieldwork sampling and surveys of plant-pollinator networks, and working with museum collections. The student would join the Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont (www.imperial.ac.uk/holobiont/), a multi-institutional research centre devoted to understanding interactions between microbes and their multicellular hosts.

The student would join the Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont ( www.imperial.ac.uk/holobiont/ ), a multi-institutional research centre devoted to understanding interactions between multicellular hosts and their microbial symbionts.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be sent to Dr Richard Gill ( [email protected] )

How to apply:

Please email Dr Richard Gill ([email protected]) and include in your application:

• - Statement of purpose (max. 2 pages A4, Arial/Calibri font size 11)
• - Please arrange for two academic reference letters to be sent directly to Dr Gill.

Full applications made before 30th April 2024 will be considered at any time.

Funding and eligibility:

A fully funded 4 years Leverhulme Studentship, including tuition fees and a standard research council stipend (£19,668). The fees and stipend cover UK home applicants and standard research council eligibility criteria apply: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/developing-people-and-skills/find-studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/

The successful applicant must hold or be expected to complete a Masters (MRes or MSc) or a four-year MSci with a grade of at least 2:1 level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject area, e.g., ecology, evolution, genetics, or microbiology.

Funded PhD studentship in XFEL Science at Imperial College London

Start date: 1 October 2024 or sooner

Duration: 4 years

Level of support: Home Studentship, fees and stipend

Supervisor: Prof Jasper van Thor, Molecular Biophysics, Imperial College London

Co-Supervisor: Prof Jon Marangos, Physics Department, Imperial College London

Location/Departments: Joined Life Science and Physics.

Project Description

A fully funded 4-year PhD position is available in the group of Professor Jasper van Thor at Imperial College London. The PhD is supported by the STFC UK Hub for the physical sciences on XFELs (HPSX) and Imperial College. The project will involve all aspects of executing and analysing ultrafast X-ray crystallography experiments at X-ray Fee Electron Lasers (XFELs). The project involves developing methods and experiments in order to increase the time resolution towards few-femtosecond and attosecond resolution. The PhD project will include experimental components involving sample environment, optics, diagnostics, beamline instrumentation and detector data processing, as well as computational aspects involving crystallographic data analysis and modelling. The project will be co-supervised by Professor Jon Marangos in the physics department. A part of the project will include work in the physics department on the configuration and use of a laser driven plasma hard X-ray source ‘The Imperial College Laboratory for Ultrafast X-ray Diffraction (LUXD)’. The new LUXD facility will allow pump-probe femtosecond chemical crystallography. Informal questions can be asked by email to JvT (email  [email protected] ) or JPM (email  [email protected] ).

Requirements and eligibility

You will have either a physics, chemistry or biochemistry undergraduate degree with a 2:1 result or better. Additionally, a Masters degree with Merit or better in a relevant physics or chemistry topic will be preferred. Only students classified as Home (UK) for fees purposes are eligible to apply.

The 4-year PhD studentship is jointly funded by STFC XFEL Physical Sciences Hub and Imperial College London Life Science Department. Applications should be sent to Jasper van Thor by email ( [email protected] ) and should include a CV and a cover letter with a personal statement. The CV should contain names and contact details for three references and details for courses taken and marks obtained.

Follow the linked pages below to find further funded PhD opportunities. 

PhD Programmes

Bbsrc dtp programme.

4-year PhD studentship opportunities in the Biological Sciences

NERC CDT in Quantitative and Modelling Skills

Solve real-world ecological and evolutionary problems by connecting theory, data, and practice

Departmental Studentships

Recruitment for 2024/25 is now closed.

• Schools & departments

Biological Sciences PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Biological Sciences

Discovery Day

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Research profile

Based in King's Buildings Campus at the University of Edinburgh, our staff and students within the School of Biological Sciences are the modern inheritors of a 400-year-old reputation for excellence with Nobel laureates among our notable alumni.

Currently at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation, we are ranked top 5 in the UK and world top 25 for biological sciences in both the QS and Times Higher world university rankings.

Key to our success is the highly dynamic and supportive research environment we offer our postgraduate research community; we offer students the tools and confidence they need to make a lasting, positive impact in our world.

Within the School our research is clustered into six large research institutes:

• Institute of Cell Biology
• Institute of Ecology and Evolution
• Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences
• Institute of Immunology & Infection
• Institute for Stem Cell Research (Centre for Regenerative Medicine)
• Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of two experienced and well-published supervisors. Our staff have a wide range of research interests and we strongly encourage interdisciplinary research, working closely with physical sciences, engineering, medical and veterinary sciences.

Programme structure

Our PhD programmes are available as full-time or part-time study. The full-time route is 36 months and part-time 72 months, with study normally commencing in October. Both modes of study have an optional additional 12 months, commonly used to write up the final thesis.

The first year of PhD studies is probationary. Your supervisor will identify your training needs and invite you to attend relevant training as appropriate. To successfully progress onto the next year of study students must pass an annual review.

Annual reviews

Students submit a 10-week report and a 10-month report, both assessed by the thesis committee. Each committee comprises of the student's supervisory team, the committee chair, and up to two additional academic staff members.

The 10-week report is a short report outlining the project, with the 10-month report an extended version that includes a literature survey. While meeting their thesis committee, students deliver an oral presentation of their work.

Students complete a presentation during the School’s annual Poster Day. Academic staff and peers review presentations, with feedback discussed with the thesis committee during a 2nd year review meeting.

Students deliver a presentation to academic staff and their peers, traditionally during their Institute’s annual symposium. They also submit a thesis plan for their 3rd year review meeting that contains a timetable for completion, content listings of each chapter, completed work and highlighting outstanding tasks.

To be awarded a PhD, students must submit their final thesis and defend it in an oral examination (assessed according to the University's regulations).

Training and support

We encourage support in a range of academic subjects, transferable skills and personal development. All students who join the programme will have access to our core training and development programme or our specialist cohort-programmes (e.g. EASTBIO).

Our training environment is highly dynamic, with students learning through hands-on, laboratory-based projects as well as guided reading, one-to-one supervision, group seminars, societies and workshops.

The University of Edinburgh Main Library, open to all students, has one of the largest and most important collections in Britain. It has some two million items including the latest publications, key texts, and rare books.

The School of Biological Sciences is based wholly within King's Buildings and in close proximity to the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library, well stocked with specialist literature, subscription databases and group study rooms and silent study spaces.

Students, dependent on their field of study, will also have access to a range of specialist laboratories and equipment, and state-of-the-art facilities. Examples include:

• imaging facilities including the Central Optical Instrumentation Laboratory (COIL) and Collaborative Optical Spectroscopy Micromanipulation & Imaging Centre (COSMIC)
• advanced flow cytometry facilities, including sorting and analysis
• cutting-edge proteomics facility and automated drug-screening platforms
• Edinburgh Genomics, a University-based sequencing and bioinformatics facility
• multiomics facilities
• the Edinburgh Genome Foundry
• cell culture facilities
• expertise in genomic editing (animal and plant)
• animal and plant facilities

The School also has strong collaborative links to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to give access to an even broader range of facilities and expertise.

Postgraduate students are given their own desk space in shared student offices and have similar access to facilities available to academic and support staff. Wireless network access is available in many parts of the University campus.

Career opportunities

The School of Biological Sciences offers training events and support for all our postgraduate research students in both academic and key life skills. In collaboration with the University’s Institute of Academic Development (IAD), we also provide a supportive training programme for students hired as tutors and demonstrators.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. You should have some research experience and be able to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the field you propose to study.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU , EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding.

School of Biological Sciences PhD funding

Research scholarships for international students

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Research Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5525
• Contact: [email protected]
• Graduate School of Biological Sciences
• Mary Brück Building
• Colin Maclaurin Road
• The King's Buildings Campus
• Programme: Biological Sciences
• School: Biological Sciences
• College: Science & Engineering

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Biological Sciences - 3 Years (Full-time)

Application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible, and before the funding deadline.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You should submit two references with your application. Before applying you should identify potential supervisors from the School of Biological Sciences and discuss your proposal.

You can find more information on how to apply at our website:

• Postgraduate research at the School of Biological Sciences

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning Studies

• Graduate research
• Department of Geography and Environment
• Application code L8ZR
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Open
• Overseas full-time: Open
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the social scientific study of urban planning. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The MPhil/ PhD in Regional and Urban Planning Studies is part of a vibrant, innovative and interdisciplinary graduate training programme that addresses the opportunities, problems, politics and economics of urban and regional planning in cities around the world. Our emphasis is on “understanding the causes of things”, to quote the School’s motto. We do this by employing analytical skills and theoretical insights gained from the social sciences and the fields of planning, architecture, economics and the environment.

Our programme aims to produce top-quality social scientists who are able to engage with the conceptual foundations of urban planning and employ robust and appropriate methods in their research.

As well as taking your time to look through the sections below,  we also encourage you to take a look at our  FAQs , which cover a range of frequently asked questions, including on the application process and funding.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd regional and urban planning.

The programme is offered in the following alternative formats:

Either  the MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning

Or  combined with the MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies progressing onto the MPhil/PhD in Regional Planning (1+3 route)

MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a taught master’s degree (or equivalent), with a minimum of 65 per cent average and at least 70 in the dissertation, in a related.

Most students take four years to complete the PhD.

1+3 Route: MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies (1 year) + MPhil/PhD in Regional Planning

The 1+3 route is suitable for those individuals who do not hold a relevant an ESRC recognised postgraduate research training degree and is aimed at students graduating with an undergraduate degree in planning, urban geography or closely related subject. (See entrance requirements for the  MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies programme ).

The 1+3 Combined PhD Programme is only available as part of an ESRC Funded pathway.

The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training MSc programme plus three years in a linked PhD programme. Progression from the master’s onto the PhD programme is dependent upon performance in the master’s programme (Students must score 65 per cent overall and at least 70 in their dissertation to comply with the Department’s usual PhD entry criteria).

Once on the PhD Programme, 1+3 students will follow the same programme structure as ordinary PhD students but adjusted to account for courses already taken on the MSc.

In practice, most students take four years to complete the PhD in addition to the year of study for the relevant MSc.

How to apply

To apply for the 1+3 route, an application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway and associated funding within their personal statement. If you apply for the PhD programme directly, will not be considered for the 1+3 pathway.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - outline research proposal - sample of written work.

 See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 23 May 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status​

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well. 

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the courses listed below. You may take other courses to those listed but must discuss this with your supervisor.

(* denotes a half unit)

Training courses Compulsory (not examined) Planning Practice and Research or Staff/Research Students Seminar Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents.

Compulsory (examined) Courses to the value of one unit from the list of options on the relevant MSc degrees Relevant advanced research method courses to the value of one unit from the following: Applied Quantitative Methods* Techniques of Spatial Economic Analysis* Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design* Qualitative Research Methods* Doing Ethnography* Non-Traditional Data: New Dimensions in Qualitative Research* Special Topics in Qualitative Research : Introspection-based Methods in Social Research* Survey Methodology* Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies* Special Topics in Quantitative Analysis: Quantitative Text Analysis*

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques.

Second year

Training courses

Compulsory (not examined) Staff / Research Students Seminars Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents.  

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques.  

Compulsory (not examined) Staff / Research Students Seminars Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents. 

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques. 

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s   Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned two supervisors who are specialists in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Your supervisors will guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

Once on the MPhil/PhD programme you will go through a First Year Progress Review, taking place in the Spring Term of your first year.

For the First Year Progress Review, you must submit a written progress report containing an extensive and updated research proposal (typically including an introduction to the topic and motivation for the research; aims and objectives/research questions; contribution to knowledge; summary of methods to be used; and outline of the work to be done) and either a comprehensive literature review or a substantive draft of a chapter/paper as evidence of progress made during the year. Normally, there will be a progress review meeting between you and your supervisors to discuss the written material presented. The work has to reach an acceptable standard to enable you to progress. There is provision for a second Supplementary Review in cases where there are doubts as to whether progress has been sufficient to allow entry to the second year. Progression to the second year of the MPhil/PhD programme is also dependent on you having passed all required examinations and obtained at least one merit, and having presented your work satisfactorily in the research project seminar.

All research students are initially registered for an MPhil and have to be upgraded to PhD status. The upgrade from MPhil to PhD usually occurs during the second year of full-time registration on the programme. The exact timing depends on your progress. You are required to submit a formal written upgrade report consisting of an extensive revised research proposal, two substantive draft papers/chapters, of which one can be a literature review, and a detailed plan for completion. You will be asked to discuss your research paper/thesis outline during an Upgrade Meeting in front of an Upgrading Committee normally formed by your supervisors and a third member of staff with relevant expertise. The material is evaluated by the Upgrading Committee, who will recommend transferral to PhD registration if your work is judged to be of sufficient quality and quantity. The upgrade is also dependent on you having completed all required training courses and having made a satisfactory research presentation in the research project seminar.

In addition to these formal arrangements, each year during the Spring Term and throughout the course of your studies, you and your supervisors have to complete a yearly Progress Report Form, detailing progress made, problems arising and plan/timeline for completion. The forms are sent to the Director of Post-Graduate Studies for approval before you are able to re-register for the following session. If perceived lack of progress is identified, it can trigger a more formal annual review of progress in which you will be asked to produce specific written documents to be evaluated by a review panel.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Geography & Environment

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £35,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Financial and Professional Services              
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy 
• Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

We prepare students for a variety of careers in academia, international organisations (eg the World Bank, OECD, UNEP, European Commission), urban planning, community development, NGOs and national and local governmental institutions.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Enrico Orru

My PhD allowed me to achieve a more comprehensive and critical understanding of the main issues underlying my field of work and to gain strong methodological and analytical skills. After my PhD I've published in journals such as Papers in Regional Science and The Annals of Regional Science . I've worked for the President of the Italian region Sardinia, by providing advice and support in education, labour markets, innovation and regional economic development. Since 2015 I have been working as a research consultant for Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions).

Sabina Uffer

My PhD focused on the effects of a changing housing strategy on Berlin's urban development. During my research, I worked at LSE Cities on the project Resilient Urban Form and Governance, conducting comparative research on residential and commercial real estate in Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Paris, London, and Berlin; and I taught research methodology in social science.

Now, I'm head of research for the Cities team at BuroHappold, undertaking projects at the intersection of urban development and infrastructure planning with an emphasis on housing, transportation, and waste. My expertise lies in developing and executing research projects and policy analysis around national and local urban issues in the US, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. 

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd human geography and urban studies.

Code(s) L8ZG

MPhil/PhD Economic Geography

Code(s) L7ZQ

MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies

Code(s) L8U4

MSc Geographic Data Science

Code(s) F9UZ

Request a prospectus

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PhD in Environmental Microbiology & Ecology: France/UK

Ecole Centrale de Lyon, University of Lyon, France and NCIMB Ltd., Scotland UK are offering a PhD scholarship in environmental microbiology with expected commencement March 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The PhD will be awarded by the Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France. The position is offered in the frame of the ARISTO (The European Industry – Academia Network for Revising and Advancing the Assessment of the Soil Microbial Toxicity of Pesticides) project. ARISTO is an International Training Network (ITN) funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement.

Project title : In vitro assessment of the toxicity of pesticides on ammonia oxidizing microorganisms

Project description : Nitrification is the microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrate and a key process in the global nitrogen cycle. In soil these reactions are mediated by two autotrophic functional groups of nitrifying microorganisms (ammonia oxidizers microorganisms (AOM) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB)) or in one cell by complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox). As the activity of these organisms is essential for soil health, they are ideal candidates for testing the impact of pesticides on microbial communities and soil ecosystem functioning. The PhD program will determine the ecotoxicological response of AOM as microbial indicators of pesticides toxicity. The objectives of the program are to (i) to establish, optimize and standardize in vitro assays for assessing the toxicity of pesticides on AOM, (ii) to identify toxicity on other microorganisms participating in the nitrification process, (iii) to explore the toxicity mechanisms of pesticides on AOM. The work will utilize both cultivated nitrifier populations and soil microcosm incubations requiring the use of molecular ecology approaches (quantitative PCR, amplicon sequencing). The program will also develop a novel screening platform for the analysis and determination of the functional health of soils and other environmental samples in response to pesticide amendment.

Principal supervisors : Prof. Graeme Nicol ( graeme.nicol@ec-lyon.fr , +33 472 18 60 88) and Dr Carol Phillips ( c.phillips@ncimb.com , +44 1224 009333).

Planned secondments: Three months at the DSMZ (German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures), Supervisor: Dr. Michael Pester. Purpose: to receive training on the cultivation and testing of pesticides toxicity on NOB and other AOM to expand the range of microorganisms tested.

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates

• A master’s degree related to the subject area of the project
• The grade point average achieved should be more than 75 % of the maximum
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme (Relevant skills: microbial cultivation, molecular biology, soil microbial ecology)
• Previous research publications
• Other professional activities
• Language skills: fluency in English

Place of Employment

• Ecole Centrale de Lyon , Laboratoire Ampère, Univerity of Lyon, France (Month 1 to 18)
• NCIMB Ltd , Aberdeen, Scotland UK  (Month 19 to Month 36)

Formal requirements and eligibility for all available positions At the time of commencement, it is required that the candidate shall at the date of recruitment, be in the first four years (full time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Furthermore, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the countries where the hosting organizations are located for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

Terms of employment Recruitment and Terms of appointment will be done according to the rules and regulations of the hosting institutions and according to the rules and regulations laid down by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Initial Training Networks. The stipend includes a living allowance (3270 €, adjusted by a country correction factor), mobility allowance (600 €) and family allowance (500 €), the latter allowance depending on the family status of the fellow. All PhD fellowships available involves a split PhD studentship between an academic and an industrial partner, while the fellow will also spend time to other partners through short secondments.

Application Procedure The application, in English, must be submitted by email to the supervisors of each advertised position and the coordinator of the project dkarpouzas@uth.gr . You are encouraged to apply for more than one of the available positions. In this case please indicate the position for which you are applying.

For your application please include

• Motivation Letter, stating which PhD project you are applying, why you want to pursue a PhD career in academic and industrial sectors, and to what extent does the given project complies with your skills and ambition.
• A statement if (and which) you have applied for other ARISTO PhD fellowships
• Full CV including studies, research experience, work experience and publications if any
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• 3 professional referees (Name, address, telephone & email)
• Documentation of English language qualifications

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Check out this town builder with a deep simulation of ecology and climate

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A fascinating new survival city builder called Of Life and Land released on Steam this month: Of Life and Land is the debut game from new studio Kerzoven. In it, you build medieval settlements from scratch in remote, wild places. 

The big change from other colony or city builders is that Of Life and Land really cares about the details of environment, behavior, and weather. How these variables affect people and animals is the baseline of the simulation—both people and wild animals have homes, form groups, need social interaction, and need food, water, and sleep. They also need a healthy temperature range and weather to live comfortably. Plants, too, need the right temperature and enough water to thrive.

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One of the simplest, but coolest, examples is in making sure your little settlers can get around in hot environments without getting heatstroke. Making sure you have the right clothing to protect from the sun is important, but so is smaller stuff like minimizing transport distance so they can spend most time inside, or making sure longer paths are alongside the cooler air near a river and have trees planted nearby for shade and heat absorption.

You can find Of Life and Land in early access on Steam for $25, though it's 10% off until April 16.

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Jon Bolding is a games writer and critic with an extensive background in strategy games. When he's not on his PC, he can be found playing every tabletop game under the sun.

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