Biosciences (Restoration Ecology) : Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Assessing and enhancing functional biodiversity in solar parks and ecological restoration projects (RS848)

Funding provider: Swansea University and Welsh Government

Subject areas: Restoration Ecology, Biodiversity, Population and Community Ecology 

Project start dates:

• 1st October 2025 (preferred) 
• 1st January 2026 (as required) 

Supervisors:  

• Dr Konstans Wells 
• Dr Aisling Devine 
• Dr Penny Neyland 
• Prof Luca Börger 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biological Sciences 

Mode of study: Full-time only (due to funding) 

Place of study: Faculty of Science & Engineering, Swansea University 

Project description:  
As part of the Restoration Ecology and Dynamics (READY) Doctoral Focal Award, we invite applications to the following PhD project: Assessing and enhancing functional biodiversity in solar parks and ecological restoration projects.

Solar parks are rapidly becoming a prominent feature in our landscapes, representing one of the most significant newly emerging changes in anthropogenic land-use. While their primary function is to generate renewable energy (at the cost of covering large areas with solar panels), there is growing recognition that solar parks also offer a unique opportunity to restore and enhance terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, critical gaps remain in understanding how the design, structure, and landscape context of solar parks influence ecological communities, and how habitat enrichment strategies can be tailored for best conservation success. 

This PhD project will combine empirical fieldwork with cutting-edge spatio-temporal ecological modelling of systems dynamics to investigate: 

• The occurrence and distribution of species within and around solar parks, identifying key “winners and losers” in terms of biodiversity.
• How species interactions, including plant-pollinator networks, are structured across the heterogeneous habitats of solar parks.
• The functional diversity of birds, small mammals, and arthropods within solar parks and adjacent grassland habitats.
• Landscape-scale modelling to understand the interplay between species occurrence, conservation priorities, and the cost-benefit of various restoration strategies in the context of the broader regional biodiversity landscape.

A key component of this project will be the integration of cost-benefit analysis to assess the effectiveness of different restoration efforts, exploring their potential to meet both local and regional biodiversity conservation targets. The student will use advanced modelling techniques to predict how different solar park configurations could balance biodiversity gains with the practicalities of land-use and energy production. 

Training and Methodology: 
This project offers unique training in both field ecology and advanced ecological modelling. The successful candidate will: 

• Design and conduct field experiments in solar parks and other grasslands in Wales, monitoring plant-pollinator interactions, and the biodiversity of vertebrates and invertebrates.
• Conduct control greenhouse experiments to understand plant growth dynamics as relevant for the study system and model parameterisation
• Use spatial analysis tools (e.g., GIS, remote sensing), develop landscape-scale models and use statistical modelling techniques to integrate ecological data within conservation planning frameworks.
• Engage with stakeholders, including local authorities and industry partners, to ensure the practical applicability of the research findings.

Impact and Ambition: 
This PhD project aims to generate predictive modelling frameworks that will inform the design and management of solar parks to maximize their potential for biodiversity restoration. By developing innovative tools for spatial planning and ecological restoration, the research will directly contribute to meeting biodiversity conservation targets in Wales and other regions with similar land-use pressures. Placement opportunities will be available. 

Candidate Profile: 
We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a strong background in applied and quantitative ecology, environmental science, biology, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have an interest in ecological modelling, spatial analysis, and conservation planning, with experience in ecological fieldwork or quantitative data analysis being advantageous. Full training in field work techniques, ecological modelling and GIS will be provided by an interdisciplinary supervisor team.  

Funding duration – 4 years 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Biosciences or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See - Country Specific Entry Requirements page.  

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.  

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research and training expenses will also be available. 

An additional, three-month, funded placement with Welsh Government is included. 

International Students
Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.   

The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability  

All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form.

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS848 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS848
• the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

 *It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Konstans Wells k.l.wells@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.