Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Climate costs of boreal forest clear-cutting – a multiscale experiment (CORE) (RS880)

Funding providers: Matched studentship Faculty of Science and Engineering / University of Lund, Sweden  

Subject areas: Geophysics, Physics, Hydrogeology, Applied Mathematics, Computational Modelling, Climate Science, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science  

Project start date: 1 October 2025 ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors: Prof. Bernd Kulessa (Swansea University), Prof. Natascha Kljun (Lund University), Dr Emilia Urbanek (Swansea University) 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physical Geography  

Mode of study: Full-time or Part Time are possible 

Project description: 

Boreal forest recovery after clear-cut: We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to collect data on and model hydro(geo)logy and greenhouse gas exchanges of boreal forests after the disturbance. 

Boreal forests constitute the second largest forest biome after the tropical rainforest, with an estimated contribution of 20% of the global terrestrial CO2 sink. To date, very little is known about the impact of clear-cuts in boreal forest ecosystems on their total greenhouse gas (GHG) balance, particularly the role of hydrogeological drivers during the early recovery years. 

This exciting PhD project will focus on the climate effects of rotation forestry at the European Research Infrastructure ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) in Norunda, Sweden. This is the first time globally that GHG fluxes will be interpreted in conjunction with subsurface hydrogeophysical data. Overall, the project's results will improve quantification and reduce uncertainties of the GHG budgets for the boreal forests. 

PhD Project 

The PhD project is linked to a large Swedish research project that aims to assess the biotic and abiotic climate effects (“costs”) of rotation forestry. The PhD student will gain research experience in state-of-the-art hydrogeophysical methods, hydrological modelling, soil flux analysis, and be able to work in an international team with world-leading scientists.

The PhD student will identify the spatiotemporal impacts of clear-cutting on soil physical characteristics, hydrogeology and GHG emissions. Existing benchmark data like below-ground geophysical, hydrogeological, and soil properties, and above-ground soil and ecosystem GHG fluxes were collected prior to the recent forest clear-cut. These data will be complemented by equivalent new ‘after clear-cut’ measurements by the PhD student, allowing the assessment of both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ clear-cut hydrological states and GHG fluxes.  

The many diverse training opportunities will include field-based geophysical measurements using a range of geoelectrical techniques, GHG soil flux measurements and associated soil-based analyses, as well as analysis of ecosystem GHG fluxes and remotely sensed data. We will support the PhD student in publishing the results in high-quality journals and in presenting these at international conferences. The post is based at Swansea University, United Kingdom, and will include several weeks of fieldwork campaigns at the Norunda research station in Sweden (100 km north of Stockholm), with the opportunity for extended visits at Lund University, Sweden.

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in a natural science subject (e.g., geophysics, hydrogeology, physics, applied mathematics), other strongly quantitative geoscientific discipline (e.g., meteorology, oceanography), or appropriate engineering subject (e.g., environmental, fluid dynamics, civil, mechanical, etc.). Alternatively, applicants holding a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) will also be considered.  

Essential: 

• Evident skills in field data collection and practical problem-solving 

• Very good numeric skills, statistics, programming, and computational data analysis 

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to tackle research problems and to work in a team but also independently, and to complete activities on time 

Desirable: 

• Demonstrable knowledge in hydro(geo)logy or greenhouse gas budgeting 

• Strong interest in programming (Python, Matlab) and computational data analysis 

• Experience with hydro(geo)logical or relevant environmental modelling 

• Demonstrable good writing skills 

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.

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants

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

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

Funding Duration: 3 Years

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway 

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. RS880 

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

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input: 
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
  • the RS Code, RS880 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• 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. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly. 

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 Professor Bernd Kulessa- b.kulessa@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. 

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.