PhD Studentship in Environmental Science: Vegetation-Fire Interactions in Africa during the Holocene 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: Vegetation-Fire Interactions in Africa during the Holocene

The University of Reading invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focused on reconstructing vegetation and wildfire regimes across the African continent during the Holocene. This interdisciplinary project is part of the SPECIAL group in Geography and Environmental Science and is funded by the Horizon Europe Synergy grant 'Ecological Archaeologies of the Afrotropics (EcoArch)'.

Project Overview: The research aims to synthesize pollen and charcoal data from sites across Africa to document and analyze fundamental changes in vegetation over the past 12,000 years. The project will investigate the complex drivers of these changes, including climate variability, human activity, and natural disturbances such as wildfire. By leveraging advances in reconstruction techniques and the growing availability of palaeoenvironmental data, the student will develop continent-wide reconstructions and analyze the relative importance of climate and human drivers on different timescales.

Research Environment: The successful candidate will join the SPECIAL group, an active interdisciplinary team at the University of Reading, and collaborate with international partners at the University of Oslo, Penn State University, and research centers across Africa. While the project is primarily computational, there may be opportunities to participate in fieldwork as part of the EcoArch initiative.

Funding: The studentship provides a stipend of £20,780 per annum and covers international tuition fees for 3.5 years. Funding is provided through the Horizon Europe Synergy grant (project 101224871).

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a good bachelor’s degree (minimum UK Upper Second (2:1) or equivalent) or a master’s degree in environmental science or a closely related discipline. Strong quantitative and programming skills (R, Python), familiarity with palaeoenvironmental data, and an interest in environmental modelling are essential. The position is open to students worldwide.

Application Process: To apply, use the provided application link to create an account and begin the process. Please quote reference ‘DRC26-007’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box within the Funding Section. If prompted for a research proposal, simply paste the project title. The application deadline is March 15, 2026, with an envisaged start date in May 2026.

Contact: For further enquiries, contact Dr. Sandy P. Harrison at [email protected].

Successful candidates will receive a formal studentship award letter upon completion of eligibility checks, separate from any offer of admission.