Durham University’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, in partnership with the Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation, is offering a fully funded PhD studentship for 2026 entry. This prestigious opportunity is open to both home and overseas students and is designed for individuals with strong academic potential and a commitment to impactful research addressing hazards and risks affecting human societies, particularly in the Global South. The studentship is based in the Department of Geography, a world-leading department ranked highly in global subject rankings.

The PhD projects focus on building resilience to environmental hazards, with ten themes available. Example projects include assessing the intersection of mountain hazard cascades and energy resilience in High Mountain Asia (co-supervised by Caroline Clason and Alexander Densmore) and building resilience to hydrometeorological and biological hazards in African Rangelands (lead supervisor Francis Masse). The successful candidate will refine their research focus in collaboration with their supervisory team.

The studentship covers full tuition fees (home or overseas), an annual maintenance stipend (aligned with UKRI rates), visa costs, and research training/fieldwork costs (£5,000 per year). Membership of a Durham College is also included. This is a transformative opportunity for candidates who may not otherwise have the financial means to pursue doctoral study, with a focus on research relevant to low- and middle-income populations.

Applicants must hold a First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline and a Master’s degree or equivalent research skills/experience. Non-traditional routes to PhD study are welcome. Applicants must also meet Durham University’s English language requirements (Direct Entry Band A). The selection process encourages applications from underrepresented groups and those who have faced barriers to postgraduate education.

To apply, candidates must complete an online application form (MS Forms), submit a single PDF with their CV, proof of English proficiency, and degree certificates/transcripts to [email protected], and arrange for two referees to send references directly. Only one project application is allowed per candidate. The deadline for applications is 6 February 2026 (23:00 GMT). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in March 2026, with entry in June or October 2026.

For more information, visit the official studentship page or contact [email protected]. For project-specific queries, contact the named supervisors. The university will be closed from 23 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, during which responses may be delayed.