Queen Mary University of London
3 days ago
PhD in Reconstructing Historical Bumblebee Foraging Networks with AI for Landscape Restoration Queen Mary University of London in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Funded TREES CASE PhD opportunity. Funding includes UK tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates. A three-month placement with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is included.
Deadline
Dec 14, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
Queen Mary University of London

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 TREES CASE PhD opportunity at Queen Mary University of London in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
The project, “Reconstructing historical bumblebee foraging networks with AI to guide landscape restoration,” asks whether Victorian naturalists can help us restore better landscapes for bumblebees today. It will use historical field notes, county faunas, and natural-history accounts to recover records of flowers visited by bumblebees when their populations were more widespread.
Research methods include AI-assisted extraction with human verification, reconstruction of bumblebee–plant interactions from the Victorian period to the present, and integration of historical records with contemporary monitoring data such as BeeWalk. The project also links these data with historical maps, aerial photographs, and modern land-cover data to study how landscape change has reshaped foraging networks.
Students will develop skills in Python, R, AI, GIS, and ecological modelling. A three-month placement with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will connect the research with practical conservation and may include work on threatened species such as the Shrill Carder bee and Moss Carder bee.
This opportunity is especially relevant for applicants interested in pollinator ecology, historical biodiversity, AI, conservation, and evidence-based landscape restoration. Funding covers UK tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates.
Deadline: 14 December 2026.
Enquiries: [email protected]
Funding details
Funded TREES CASE PhD opportunity. Funding includes UK tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates. A three-month placement with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is included.
What's required
Applicants should be interested in pollinator ecology, historical biodiversity, AI, and evidence-based landscape restoration. The project expects skills development in Python, R, AI, GIS, and ecological modelling; no specific prior degree or test requirements are stated in the post.
How to apply
Use the application link provided in the post to find out more and submit your application before the deadline. Direct enquiries can be sent by email to [email protected]. Share with interested students and colleagues if relevant.
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.