A fully-funded PhD opportunity is available at the University of Exeter, focusing on integrating sensing, modelling, and data analytics to understand forest microclimate dynamics under fire, degradation, and climate change in Amazonia. The project is led by Professor Ted Feldpausch, with co-supervision from Ilya Maclean, and is part of a UKRI-funded collaboration between UK and Brazilian researchers. The research aims to address critical gaps in our understanding of how climate change, wildfire, and land-use are reshaping tropical forest microclimates, which are vital for biodiversity and the global carbon cycle. The doctoral researcher will investigate how wildfire and land-use change affect above- and below-ground microclimate, including vertical profiles, and how sensor design and measurement uncertainty influence microclimate estimates and model performance. The project involves the development, testing, and upscaling of computational microclimate models, integrating in-situ, remote sensing, and environmental datasets. The research will also explore how altered microclimate affects tree mortality, carbon cycling, and fire risk, using data from the Amazon PyroCarbon Project and remote sensing technologies such as airborne and spaceborne lidar (GEDI) and passive spectral data. Students will have the opportunity to design and test sensor systems, including custom-built devices, and integrate these data with advanced modelling approaches to improve predictions of microclimate dynamics under disturbance and climate change. The project includes training in tropical field methods, environmental sensors, experimental design, geospatial analysis in R, and computational modelling. Fieldwork in Amazonia is possible, pending research permits, but the project can also be completed using existing datasets and ongoing work by project partners. The successful candidate will join a diverse international research group exploring the ecological impacts of environmental change on tropical forests. The UK-Brazil partnership ensures interdisciplinary research and access to cutting-edge resources. Applicants should have a strong background in environmental science, biology, earth science, computer science, or related fields, and an interest in environmental sensing, modelling, and data analytics. The position is fully funded, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend, with additional support for research activities. Application deadline is 12 January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Exeter funding page or contact the supervisors. This opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about climate change, tropical forest ecology, and advanced data-driven research.

The University of Exeter’s Department of Geography is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity in geospatial ecology, focusing on evaluating the influence of NEOM regreening approaches on terrestrial productivity. The successful candidate will join the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Services (TESS) Lab, led by Associate Professor Andrew Cunliffe, and work alongside Professor Ted Feldpausch. The project aims to deliver new understanding of plant productivity variability in response to dryland management and environmental variation, leveraging advanced mapping, spatial analysis, and machine learning techniques. The NEOM project represents one of the largest ecological restoration initiatives globally, targeting regreening of drylands across vast landscapes. This PhD will build on the Relative Productivity Index (RPI) framework, using observed versus potential productivity modelled with machine learning, to study how vegetation productivity varies and responds to management interventions. The research will contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of NEOM’s regreening efforts and advance knowledge in ecological restoration, geospatial ecology, and environmental science. The TESS Lab is an inclusive, supportive environment with regular group meetings, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities. The lab integrates social science to promote sustainability and works with diverse partners to maximize research impact. The PhD studentship is fully funded for UK nationals, covering domestic tuition fees, a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per year for 3.5 years, and a £15,000 research training support grant. The position starts in April 2026, and applicants should have a strong background in geography, environmental science, ecology, or related fields, with experience in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, or machine learning preferred. For full details and to apply, visit the provided application link. The deadline for applications is midnight, 10th January 2026.

[Home tuition fees, £15,000 research training support grant, and annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years. International students receive partial tuition coverage (approx. £25,000 per year).] The University of Exeter is offering a funded PhD studentship focused on evaluating the influence of NEOM regreening approaches on terrestrial productivity. This opportunity is based within the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Services (TESS) lab, part of the Department of Geography at the Streatham Campus, Exeter. The project is funded by the Saudi NEOM initiative, one of the world's largest ecological restoration efforts, aiming to regreen drylands across vast landscapes in Saudi Arabia. Supervised by Dr. Andy Cunliffe (Oppenheimer Associate Professor of Geospatial Ecology) and Professor Ted Feldpausch (Professor of Terrestrial Ecology and Global Change), the successful candidate will join a dynamic research group at the forefront of environmental change studies. The project will deliver new insights into the variability of plant productivity in response to dryland management and environmental variation, using advanced geospatial and machine learning techniques. Key objectives include enhancing the Relative Productivity Index (RPI) framework for improved predictive performance and spatial resolution, evaluating the impacts of NEOM’s passive regreening actions (such as excluding large herbivores and off-road driving), and assessing active regreening efforts (including planting and irrigation) through multi-method approaches. The research will combine fine-scale RPI analysis with high-resolution optical data (e.g., Sentinel-2) to compare vegetation changes in intervention sites versus the wider landscape. The studentship includes home tuition fees, a £15,000 research training support grant, and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years. International students are eligible to apply but should note that the award only partially covers international tuition fees (approximately £25,000 per year), and additional costs such as student visa, healthcare surcharge, and relocation expenses must be self-funded. The student will also undertake two extended visits to Saudi Arabia for place-based learning, model validation, and collaboration with the NEOM team. Applicants should have a strong academic background in environmental science, geography, ecology, or a related discipline. The studentship is awarded on merit, and eligibility for home fee status may depend on recent residency or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The University of Exeter is renowned for its research into environmental change and its impacts on people, offering excellent facilities and collaborative opportunities within the TESS Lab and related projects. The application deadline is 10 January 2026, with the studentship commencing from April 2026 onwards. For further details and to apply, visit the University of Exeter funding portal. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and funding details carefully and to contact the department for advice on fee status if required.