Publisher
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University of Exeter

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PhD Studentship: Sensing the Ocean Through Surfing: A New Wave in Ocean Observation University of Exeter in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Environmental Science

Funding

Available

Deadline

Dec 8, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Exeter

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Keywords

Environmental Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Biology
Marine Biology
Earth Science
Oceanography
Data Quality
Citizen Science
Statistics
Distributed Sensing
Physics

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About this position

[Fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.]

PhD Studentship at the University of Exeter on a project titled Sensing the Ocean Through Surfing: A New Wave in Ocean Observation.

This studentship explores a novel approach to ocean monitoring by using surfers and surfboards as low-cost observation platforms. The project addresses a major challenge in oceanography: how to gather extensive observations in space and time without relying only on expensive, specialised instruments deployed from research vessels, autonomous platforms, or fixed stations.

The research will develop and integrate miniaturised sensors to measure key environmental properties while a surfboard is in use. It will examine how these sensors can be robustly embedded into recreational platforms without affecting normal use, how well they perform under variable real-world conditions, and how opportunistic observations from multiple users can be combined into meaningful coastal datasets. A further element of the project focuses on the human side of citizen science, investigating what motivates recreational water users to contribute data.

The project combines expertise in biological and physical oceanography, engineering, and environmental sensing. The student will work across sensor development, experimental testing, field observations, data analysis, and social citizen science. Support is described as coming from the University of Exeter, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a UK surfboard manufacturer, and an open-hardware company. The project also aims to connect these new measurements with existing satellite, autonomous, and conventional oceanographic datasets.

Funding is provided as fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.

This is a PhD-level studentship and is especially suited to candidates interested in ocean observation, coastal environments, low-cost sensing technologies, data integration, and citizen science. The role is interdisciplinary and research-led, with strong links to marine science and engineering applications.

Deadline: 08 Dec 2026.

Application: Use the University of Exeter application link provided and follow the funding page instructions carefully.

Funding details

Available

How to apply

Apply via the University of Exeter funding page using the application link provided. Prepare your application before the deadline of 2026-12-08. Follow the university instructions on the linked page for any required documents and submission steps.

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