The ACCE+ DLA is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey.

We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.

Project Overview :

Stabilising ecological processes such as Conspecific Negative Density Dependence (CNDD) have been invoked to explain the hyperdiversity of tropical rainforests. A key question is understanding how these ecological mechanisms break down to yield gradients of diversity as environments change. This project will use modelling and experiments to understand why tropical savanna forests are less diverse than their rainforest counterparts from the perspective of underpinning ecological mechanisms.

Seasonal tropical savanna forests are a significant fraction (~50%) of the world’s tropical forests, yet the ecological processes driving their diversity are less well studied than in tropical rainforests. There is a continuum between these forest type, with a gradient of diversity: over 500 tree species may be recorded in a few hectares in tropical rainforests, whereas some tropical savanna forests are effectively monocultures.

This project will take advantage of a newly established large-scale tree census plot in Zambia, which is providing the data and infrastructure to undertake studies on forest diversity. The project will include opportunities for both desk-based analysis of existing data, as well as experimental work in the field. There are three specific objectives of this PhD project:

(i) Analyse census data to measure the spatial distribution of trees, testing the hypothesis that adults are over-dispersed with respect to seeds and seedlings, consistent with the action of CNDD.

(ii) Over the course of two seasons, map seed rain in sub plots and follow the fates of seeds and seedlings to test for distance and density effects consistent with CNDD.

(iii) In the buffer region around the ForestGEO plot, conduct density experiments in which seeds are planted at a range of densities and subject to manipulations to exclude natural enemies.

Skills and techniques: The project will provide training in spatial statistics, GIS and linear modelling to conduct desk-based analyses. In the field, the successful student will be trained in census methods, plant identification and experimental design.

Training: Training will be provided through the extensive programmes offered at Sheffield and as part of the ACCE partnership. The project partners in Zambia will provide training in field techniques.

Research environment: The project is designed in partnership with the Forestry Department in Zambia and CIFOR-ICRAF ( https://www.cifor-icraf.org/ ) who, in addition to the excellent research environment in Sheffield, will provide support for the project.

How to Apply

Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/ .

All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma . This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.

The proforma is available here.

Part-Time Study Options

All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.

Project CASE Status :

This project is not a CASE project.

Funding Information

NERC ACCE+ DLA programme starts from October 2025.

UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:

• Stipend (2024/25 UKRI rate £19,237)

• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2024/25 rate £4,786)

• Research support and training grant (RTSG)

Note - UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees. The DLA partners have various schemes which allow international students to join the DLA but only be required to pay home fees. Home fees are already covered in the UKRI funding, meaning that successful international candidates do not need to find any additional funding for fees.

International candidates should ensure that they have sufficient funds to pay for a UK student visa, NHS health surcharge fees and travel expenses to the UK, if they are successfully offered a studentship following a formal interview. These costs are not covered by ACCE+

Closing date for all applications is Wednesday 8th January 2025