About the Project
Project Overview:
Shallow coastal systems are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, including those leading to eutrophic waters. This PhD will undertake field and experimental research to assess how water and sediment quality may be limiting the habitat restoration potential of seagrass and saltmarsh habitats in Poole Harbour.
Project Description:
This project is an exciting opportunity to work with academics at the National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton, together with the water industry and regulators, to investigate how water and sediment quality influences seagrass and saltmarsh restoration. Coastal lagoon habitats like Poole Harbour occupy 12% of the world’s coastline and are subject to anthropogenic impacts and exploitation. Excessive nutrient inputs drive eutrophication and have caused proliferation of dense algal mats across ~30% of Poole Harbour’s mud flat, resulting in an ecological shift from seagrass-dominated habitats to macroalgae-dominated habitats [1]. This project will examine biogeochemical processes in Poole Harbour to inform successful habitat restoration and identify priority sites for future restoration. The PhD candidate will work alongside Wessex Water, the Environment Agency and Natural England to quantify the biogeochemical processes driving spatial and temporal variability of sediment and water quality at contrasting sites within Poole Harbour [2]. To achieve this, the candidate will characterise the sediment geochemistry (e.g. sulphide, nutrients, metals, radiochronology) and use novel sensors [3] to quantify benthic nutrient fluxes over varying timescales to establish the role of sediment–water interactions in nutrient retention, recycling, or release. Controlled experiments will then quantify the effect of hydrodynamic forcing on seabed stability and benthic fluxes in an annular flume. Based on these results, the PhD candidate will develop pollution and ecological indices and compare against comparable estuarine systems. An industry placement and agency collaboration will equip the candidate with skills and networks for careers in research, regulation, or applied policy.
This project will be located in Southampton.
Training:
The IGNITE programme provides comprehensive personal and professional development training alongside extensive opportunities for students to expand their multi-disciplinary outlook through interactions with a wide network of academic, research and industrial/policy partners.
This project will have a large field work and laboratory component, and the student will be trained in sampling, analytical and sensor techniques. The student will have the opportunity to use bespoke experimental facilities including annular flumes and mesocosms, and will be trained in sediment dynamics. The student will be exposed to the regulatory and water industry landscape, with an opportunity for a placement, allowing the student to develop skills for academic and non-academic careers. The PhD project will be further supported by regular meetings with a technical supervisory group consisting of the Environment Agency, Natural England and Wessex Water.
Entry Requirements:
A UK bachelor’s degree with upper second-class honours or higher in a relevant subject. See international equivalent qualifications on the University’s website: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/international/entry-qualification-equivalencies. English language: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. We accept other English language tests: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
How to apply:
All applications to the IGNITE Doctoral Landscape Award should be submitted by 11:59pm on Thursday 8th January 2026. Please be aware that this project is full-time only. Use the following link to apply:
We advise you to contact the lead supervisor of a project to discuss the project and check your suitability before submitting an application. You are strongly advised to apply for one project so that you can tailor your application to the project but you can apply for a maximum of two projects. Both UK and international students are eligible to apply for an IGNITE award. However, NERC stipulates that a maximum of 30% of IGNITE studentships (usually 5 studentships per year) can be provided to international applicants so competition for these studentships is very high. We welcome applications from applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds but recognise systemic barriers to entry into postgraduate research for certain groups. To support this, IGNITE has an opt-in guaranteed interview scheme for qualifying UK applicants who self-identify as racially minoritised (i.e., come from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background). Please contact nerc-dla@soton.ac.uk once you have submitted a complete application to opt into this scheme.
IGNITE DLA Webinar
Watch the IGNITE Doctoral Landscape Award webinar here. Find out more about the IGNITE DLA programme, the application process and what happens if you are shortlisted for interview.
Funding Notes
The IGNITE Doctoral Landscape Award funds PhD researchers for 3.5 years, full- or part-time. An IGNITE DLA studentship includes a tax-free stipend at the UKRI standard rate (ÂŁ20,780 for the academic year 2025/26). Funding covers Home tuition fees; the difference between Home and International tuition fees will be waived by the University. The IGNITE DLA provides a Research Training Support Grant of ÂŁ2200 per year (ÂŁ7700 across the 3.5 years) to be used on small project costs, conference attendance and individual training needs.
References
1. Franklin, D.J. et al., 2020. Chapter 35 – Consequences of nitrate enrichment in a temperate estuarine marine protected area; response of the microbial primary producers and consequences for management. In: J. Humphreys and R.W.E. Clark (Editors), Marine Protected Areas. Elsevier, pp. 685-702 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081026984000356 2. Kraal, P. et al., 2015. Sedimentary iron–phosphorus cycling under contrasting redox conditions in a eutrophic estuary. Chemical Geology, 392: 19-31. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009254114005245 3. Birchill, A.J., et al., Exploring ocean biogeochemistry using a lab-on-chip phosphate analyser on an underwater glider. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2021. 8: p. 698102. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.698102/full
