PhD Studentship in Environmental Science: Pollen-based Reconstruction of Holocene Climates of Africa University of Reading in United Kingdom

[Funding for 3.5 years, stipend (£20,780 p.a) and international fees via Horizon Europe, Synergy grant 'Ecological Archaeologies of the Afrotropics (EcoArch)', project 101224871.]

PhD Studentship in Environmental Science: Pollen-based Reconstruction of Holocene Climates of Africa

This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Reading focuses on reconstructing Holocene climate changes across Africa using pollen records from lake and bog sediments. The project aims to apply advanced statistical and computational approaches to existing palaeoenvironmental databases, enabling high-resolution reconstructions of climate and vegetation productivity over the past 12,000 years. These reconstructions will help understand how climate changes have influenced the human resource base and the adoption of agriculture across the continent.

The successful candidate will join the SPECIAL group, an interdisciplinary research team within Geography and Environmental Science. The PhD is part of the Horizon Europe Synergy grant project “Ecological Archaeologies of the Afrotropics (EcoArch)” and offers opportunities to collaborate with researchers at the University of Oslo, Penn State University, and research centres across Africa. While the project is primarily computational, there may be chances to participate in EcoArch fieldwork activities.

Funding and Eligibility
Funding covers a stipend of £20,780 per annum and international fees for 3.5 years. The studentship is open to applicants worldwide. Candidates should hold at least a UK Upper Second (2:1) bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a master’s degree in environmental sciences or a closely related discipline. Essential skills include quantitative analysis, programming (R, Python), and familiarity with palaeoenvironmental data. An interest in environmental modelling and solving real-world problems is highly desirable.

Application Process
To apply, use the provided application link to create an account and follow the instructions sent by email. Be sure to quote the reference ‘DRC26-006’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box within the Funding Section of your online application. If prompted for a research proposal, simply paste the project title. The application deadline is 15 March 2026.

For further enquiries, contact Dr. Sandy P. Harrison at [email protected]. Successful candidates will receive a formal studentship award letter, subject to standard eligibility checks.

This studentship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in environmental science, climate reconstruction, and human-environment interactions, with strong interdisciplinary and international collaboration.