Publisher
source

University of Sheffield

Just Landed

PhD in Black Carbon in Upland and Agricultural Landscapes: Food Production and Climate Change Mitigation University of Sheffield in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Chemistry

Funding

Competition-funded PhD project with full scholarship support for 45 months. Funding covers tuition fees and provides an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels, stated as £21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year (TBC in 2027/2028). Some places are limited for international students; Home fee status may be required for certain awards.

Deadline

Nov 30, 2026

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Sheffield

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

Apply for this position

Keywords

Chemistry
Ecology
Environmental Science
Agriculture
Biology
Soil Science
Geography
Earth Science
Air Pollution
Soil Chemistry

Suggested positions

About this position

PhD opportunity at the University of Sheffield in the ECOSOLUTIONS Doctoral Focal Award, focused on black carbon in upland and agricultural landscapes and its consequences for food production, soil health, and climate change mitigation.

This interdisciplinary project examines how legacy chemical pollution and modern agricultural management interact in a rural post-industrial landscape in the Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire. The research will combine field surveying, soil sampling, laboratory analysis, spatial analysis, and knowledge exchange with farmers, land managers, and policy-makers.

Key research themes include: how agricultural management and long-term pollution affect the soil chemical environment; how black carbon interacts with common agricultural chemicals to influence soil function and ecosystem services; and how landscapes can be managed sustainably to reduce harmful impacts and inform policy.

The project is part of the NERC-funded ECOSOLUTIONS programme, which brings together science, policy, and societal engagement to address pollution in urban and rural environments and support a safe, sustainable chemicals sector. Students will join a wider cohort and benefit from training in research methods, stakeholder engagement, communication, data management, and systems-thinking approaches.

Funding: full scholarship for 45 months, covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels. Eligibility: at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline; laboratory skills, field experience, and data analysis/modelling are desirable.

Application: apply via the ECOSOLUTIONS website. Project-specific enquiries can be directed to Professor Jill Edmondson at [email protected].

Funding details

Competition-funded PhD project with full scholarship support for 45 months. Funding covers tuition fees and provides an annual stipend at UKRI recommended levels, stated as £21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year (TBC in 2027/2028). Some places are limited for international students; Home fee status may be required for certain awards.

What's required

Applicants should have at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. The project would suit candidates with laboratory skills, field experience, and data analysis and/or modelling skills. International students are welcome, but funding eligibility may be restricted by fee status and programme rules.

How to apply

Visit the ECOSOLUTIONS website for full application instructions and the project page. Use the programme website to register interest and follow the university's application process. Direct project enquiries can be sent to Professor Jill Edmondson by email.

More information can be found here

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?