Evaluating Impacts of Drought on Belowground Processes in Southern Amazonia

Evaluating Impacts of Drought on Belowground Processes in Southern Amazonia is a fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Leeds, based in the School of Geography’s Ecology and Global Change research cluster. This project addresses urgent questions about how drought affects the functioning of southern Amazonian forests, a region experiencing the most severe climate change impacts in the Amazon. The research is built around a new, large-scale rainfall exclusion experiment in Mato Grosso, Brazil, designed to probe the physiological survival limits of Amazonian trees and the transition of forests from carbon sinks to sources. The PhD student will integrate ongoing data collection at both drought-affected and control sites, focusing on belowground processes such as soil water content, soil water potential, soil respiration fluxes, fine root production, and nutrient cycling. Aboveground data streams, including stem water content, sap flow, leaf water potential, and carbon fluxes, will also be available for analysis. The project’s aims and specific research questions can be tailored to the student’s interests, with possible directions including root dynamics, heterotrophic processes, water uptake, and nutrient cycling. Methodologies may involve repeated field measurements, DNA analysis for soil microbial communities, and assays for soil enzyme activity. Fieldwork will be a significant component, with extended periods in Brazil at the experimental plots. The student will collaborate with a diverse team of UK and Brazilian scientists, including direct supervision from Professor David Galbraith, Dr. Andy Nottingham, and Dr. Sarah Batterman. The Ecology and Global Change cluster offers a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment with a strong record of high-impact research in tropical forest ecology and biogeochemistry. This studentship is part of the Yorkshire Environmental Sciences Doctoral Training Network (YES-DTN), which provides 25–26 fully funded PhD positions annually. Funding covers university fees, a personal stipend, and research/training costs. International applicants are welcome but must cover visa and health surcharge costs, and awards for non-UK applicants are limited by UKRI rules. The anticipated outcome is high-impact publications in leading journals and significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts in tropical forests. Eligibility: Applicants should have a strong academic background in environmental science, biology, ecology, geography, or related fields. Experience with fieldwork and data analysis is desirable. International applicants must meet English language requirements and cover visa/health surcharge costs. Application: Apply via the YES-DTN website before January 7, 2026. For more details, visit the project and application information links provided.