SUPER PhD projects (2024 start)

The SUPER remit supports the holistic study of the ecological dynamics of systems from headland rivers and catchments through lowland regions and riparian systems to estuarine and coastal waters and marine ecosystems. 

Projects are hosted at one of our partner institutions with a Principal Investigator (PI), plus one or more supervisors based at another institution, and start on Monday 30 September 2024. Please find more information about currently available projects and how to apply to the respective institution in the adverts below (if a link is unavailable, please check back shortly, this webpage is being updated as adverts are released). We recommend reaching out to the PI before applying to discuss, or to address any questions you may have.

To help you through the application process, the ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training have produced videos to support prospective PhD students, including preparing a PhD application, and tips on meeting potential supervisors. You can also read the SUPER DTP top interview tips if your application is selected to progress.

The University of Aberdeen

• How are seminatural environments affected by climate change? A study on climate impacts and future challenges on heathland soils. PI: Marta Dondini. Deadline: Saturday 31 August.
• The impact of environmental change on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic sponge communities. PI: Cecile Gubry-Rangin. Deadline: CLOSED.
• The causes and consequences of parental care in fish. PI: Catherine Sheard. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Using eDNA to assess how types of temperate and tropical marine habitat restoration (seagrass/mangroves) and protection (MPAs) provides essential fish habitat (EFH). PI: Beth Scott. Deadline: CLOSED.

The University of Strathclyde

• Spatial modelling of mackerel migrations and zonal attachment. PI: Douglas Speirs. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Marine match-mismatch: the ecological consequences of climate driven changes in migration and reproductive phenology in the sea. PI: Jack Laverick. Deadline: CLOSED.

The University of St Andrews

• Presence and drivers of geographic variation in delphinid vocal signals. PI: Vincent Janik. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Rocky shore biodiversity: Separating the effects of anthropogenic impacts from natural variation and climate change impacts. PI: Andrew Blight. Deadline: CLOSED.
• A deep dive into the anthropogenic threats facing endangered freshwater dolphins in the highly managed Indus River of Pakistan. PI: Gill Braulik. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Carbon-scapes: Understanding carbon connectivity across the land-ocean continuum using a seascape approach. PI: Craig Smeaton. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Developing an efficient and accessible “data-to-decision” pipeline for remotely sensed biodiversity monitoring data. PI: Chris Sutherland. Deadline: CLOSED.

The University of Stirling

• Using biomineralisation responses to predict molluscan species-specific pathways for resilience to climate change. PI: Susan Fitzer. Deadline: CLOSED.

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

UHI Inverness

• Understanding Changes in Migration Timing in Scotland’s Atlantic Salmon. PI: Victoria Pritchard. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Will feral pigs aid or threaten landscape scale nature recovery in Scotland? Understanding their genetics, ecology, and public perceptions. PI: Bernd Hänfling. Deadline: CLOSED.

UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso

• Seabirds as sentinel species: assessing the risk of nest incorporation of marine plastic debri. PI: Neil James. Deadline: CLOSED.

SAMS

• Mitigating harmful algal blooms with modified clay. PI: Keith Davidson. Deadline: CLOSED.
• Understanding sea louse larval biology and natural abundance to inform modelling and assist management of the Scottish salmon industry. PI: Kim Last. Deadline: CLOSED.

UHI Shetland

• Tracing patterns of vessel movement – understanding secondary spread of fouling marine invasive non-native species in Scotland. PI: Rebecca Giesler. Deadline: CLOSED.

Edinburgh Napier University

• Assessing impacts of ivermectin, a key agricultural parasiticide, on freshwater organisms in a multi-stressor context. PI: Rob Briers. Student led project, not open to applications.

What’s included in a SUPER studentship?

A 3.5 year (42 month) studentship includes:
• Home (UK) rate tuition fees each year*;
• A yearly stipend based on RCUK rates (£18,622 for the 2023/24 academic year); and 
• Separate funding for research training and professional development.

*for International students, there may be funding available to cover the full international tuition fee through the respective institution and this should be discussed with the Principal Investigator (PI). If funds are not available, the candidate will be required to cover the difference in fees each year (this may be in excess of £10,000 per annum). 

Part-time study is an option, with a minimum of 50% of full-time effort (7 years; 84 months). Funding will be provided pro-rata.

In general, applicants to the SUPER DTP are expected to have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent). Institutions may have more stringent or further eligibility requirements, please see adverts below for more information.

Demystifying the DTP

To find out more about what a DTP is and what it can provide for you during your studies, specifically the SUPER DTP, please see our video below.