University of Aberdeen
Just Landed
New Today
Funded PhD in Soil Health, Carbon and Climate-Smart Crop Monitoring for Smallholder Farming Systems in Ethiopia University of Aberdeen in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Fully funded PhD studentship: all PhD tuition fees paid, a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates for living costs, a Research Training Support Grant of £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 total) for travel, training, and consumables, plus additional funding for outreach, dissemination, summer schools, research events, and development projects.
Deadline
Oct 16, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Aberdeen
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
Funded PhD opportunity at the University of Aberdeen within the SUSTAIN CDT: ETHIO-SENSE: Real-Time Soil Health, Carbon and Climate-Smart Crop Monitoring for Smallholder Farming Systems in Ethiopia.
This interdisciplinary PhD focuses on soil science, environmental sensing, carbon accounting, digital agriculture, machine learning, data science, and MRV systems (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification). The project aims to adapt low-cost soil sensing and digital decision-support tools to support climate-smart agriculture in Ethiopia, with fieldwork in the Bilate Catchment near Hawassa.
Research activities include deploying and validating low-cost soil-health sensors, monitoring soil moisture, temperature, greenhouse-gas emissions and carbon fluxes, comparing sensor data with farmer-led assessments, collecting crop and management data, developing an Ethiopia-specific MRV platform, and building digital-twin models to predict yield responses, drought risk, carbon sequestration, and climate adaptation outcomes.
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team across the UK and Ethiopia and receive training in soil science, environmental sensing technologies, carbon accounting, spatial modelling, stakeholder engagement, and scientific communication.
Eligibility: applicants should have at least a 2:1 honours degree in agricultural, computer, or environmental science, or electronic engineering. A master’s degree in AI, machine learning, agriculture, or environmental subjects is desirable. The student should be self-driven, curious, and comfortable working across disciplines.
Funding: fully funded studentship with tuition fees covered, a UKRI-rate tax-free stipend, and a £3,000 annual RTSG for travel, training, and consumables, plus additional support for outreach and dissemination.
Deadline: 16 October 2026, 12:00 noon UK time.
How to apply: follow the SUSTAIN CDT instructions at the application link and submit online. Enquiries can be directed to Prof Jo Smith.
Funding details
Fully funded PhD studentship: all PhD tuition fees paid, a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates for living costs, a Research Training Support Grant of £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 total) for travel, training, and consumables, plus additional funding for outreach, dissemination, summer schools, research events, and development projects.
What's required
Applicants should have an honours degree (minimum 2:1) in agricultural science, computer science, environmental science, or electronic engineering, with a strong interest in agriculture in low-income countries. A master’s degree in AI, machine learning, agriculture, or environmental subjects is desirable, as is a quantitatively or technically focused BSc/MSc dissertation or thesis. The student should be self-driven, curious, able to work across disciplines, and willing to engage in departmental events, seminars, and public/policy engagement activities.
How to apply
Visit the SUSTAIN CDT application page for full instructions and submit the application online. For enquiries, contact Prof Jo Smith by email.
More information can be found here
Ask ApplyKite AI
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.