Closing date: 07 March 2025
Key Information
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 dates:
- 1 April 2025 (Enrolment open from mid- March)
- 1 July 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-June)
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.
Eligibility
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in geography or a related field, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See – Country-specific Information for European Applicants 2019 and Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019.
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.
Further Admissions Criteria:
Essential:
- University degree 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.).
- 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
Funding
Scholarship open to UK and international fee eligible applicants
UK Students: This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).
Additional research expenses will also be available.
International: This scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.
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.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information
- Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:
(Full Time) Physical Geography / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / April
Or
(Full Time) Physical Geography / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / July
In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this case, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
2. Start year – please select 2025
3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –
- ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
- ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS785 – CORE’
*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
- Two references (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. Bernd Kulessa and 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.
