Biosciences (Restoration Ecology) : Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Measurement and modelling of future persistence of restored peatlands at their bioclimatic range limits (RS850)

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:  

• Prof Cynthia Froyd 
• Prof Bernd Kulessa 
• Dr Miguel Lurgi Rivera 

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: Measurement and modelling of future persistence of restored peatlands at their bioclimatic range limits.

Peatlands are diverse wetland habitats that act as substantial terrestrial carbon stores, increasingly featuring in climate change mitigation strategies and the achievement of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets. Because of this, peatland restoration is a conservation priority in the UK and internationally. However, as ecosystems dependent on the maintenance of waterlogged conditions, peatlands are projected to be particularly impacted by future climate change, through changes in both temperature and precipitation. Bioclimatic envelope models predict significant loss of areas suitable for persistence of healthy, accumulating peat (e.g., Ritson et al., 2024) under projected climate change scenarios. However, these models often fail to consider how these ecosystems might respond to restoration efforts, or the interaction between species persistence thresholds and climate in a mechanistic way. 

In this project we aim at filling this gap by examining the persistence of peatlands under future climate change, incorporating projected outcomes from restoration activities and the identification of environmental tipping points from mechanistic modelling of species distributions and habitat suitability. Possible topics to be investigated include (but are not limited to): species distribution modelling and desiccation thresholds for peat-forming Sphagnum moss species; rewetting and water table dynamics; drought response; physical aspects (such as pre-restoration compaction, hydraulic conductivity, changes in microtopography); and the role of shallow peats. The direction of the PhD will be open for the student to refine. We anticipate a mix of field data collection, laboratory and Sphagnum growth experiments, alongside a strong modelling component. The work will focus on exemplar sites within the UK, with potential opportunity to expand to other global peatland sites at their range limits. 

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. RS850 

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

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

• the RS Code, RS850
• 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  Prof Cynthia Froyd c.froyd@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.