About the Project
Project summary
Nature-based solutions provide transformative management strategies for water resources, carbon storage, and biodiversity across the UK. Yet, despite their promise, most projects focus on single ecosystem benefits, whereas the real power lies in achieving all of these together. We lack the evidence and metrics to quantify multiple wins and understanding of trade-offs, leaving industries and land managers unable to justify the investment. Without robust indicators of success, neither business models nor policy frameworks can unlock the funding needed for upscaling these solutions.
This PhD will address these challenges by quantifying how nature-based water retention measures may deliver interconnected benefits across the water-climate-biodiversity nexus, and by translating these findings into practical indicators to support the unlocking of private investment. Building on data from an established long-term case study in partnership with the distilling industry, the research will investigate how interventions designed to secure water supply can simultaneously improve water quality, sequester carbon in soils, and enhance biodiversity. Crucially, these data will be used to determine how we can measure and value these bundled or stacked benefits for wider industry use.
Specifically, the objectives are to:
- Quantify the interlinked effects of water retention measures on water quantity, water quality (nitrogen and carbon cycling), soil carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancement, identifying where these services work in synergy, where trade-offs exist, and what thresholds matter for decision-making.
- Develop scientifically robust indicators that capture the full suite of ecosystem services these interventions provide, designed to work within both regulatory compliance frameworks and emerging nature credit markets.
- Co-create practical frameworks that translate scientific evidence into business cases and policy tools.
The methods will include fieldwork, laboratory and data analysis, and industry engagement. The research will benefit from working at an existing site with long-term (~10 years) hydro-climatological monitoring infrastructure and policy and practice stakeholder engagement. Focussing on areas without and with relatively old (since 2020) and new (planned for 2026) water-retention features within a 1 km2 catchment, the project will conduct water quantity and quality sampling to characterise water retention and track carbon and nitrogen cycling. It will also involve soil analysis for carbon storage and microbial communities, which provide potential fast-responding indicators of biodiversity change. Semi-structured interviews with industry partners, regulators and policy makers in Scotland will be performed to understand what makes or breaks voluntary nature investment decisions and which indicators are required for developing policy and governance.
Student Profile
Are you passionate about bridging environmental science with real-world impact? This project offers you the opportunity to develop indicators to help unlock investment in nature-based solutions by quantifying their value across water, carbon, and biodiversity.
We seek a candidate excited to work at the intersection of hydrology, soil science, ecology, and environmental economics, translating multidisciplinary data into actionable solutions for industry and policy. You should have or expect to receive a degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Hydrology, Ecology, Plant and Soil Science, Geosciences, Geography, Environmental Sciences/Economics/Engineering).
Given the interdisciplinary nature of this project, we don’t expect you to possess all skills from the outset, but enthusiasm for field and laboratory work alongside stakeholder engagement and integrated data analysis is essential. We’re keen to hear about your relevant experience and ambitions across these areas. An appreciation for systems thinking (understanding how water, soils, and biodiversity interact) is crucial, as are excellent communication skills for engaging with industry partners and policymakers. A driving licence is desirable.
This fully funded project brings together supervisory expertise in hydrology (Geris), environmental economics (Simpson), industry (Daalmans), soil microbiology and biodiversity (Giles), and biogeochemistry (Bass), ensuring comprehensive support in translating scientific findings into practical investment frameworks.
Supervisors
Josie Geris, Primary Supervisor, University of Aberdeen
Katherine Simpson, University of Glasgow
Ronald Daalmans, Chivas Brothers
Maddy Giles, James Hutton Institute
Adrian Bass, University of Glasgow
How to apply?
For more details on the application process, and to apply via the NETGAIN online application form, please visit the NETGAIN website. The deadline for applications is Friday 30 January 2026.
Funding Notes
All NETGAIN Doctoral Focal Award projects have guaranteed funding for 4 years at the UKRI national rate. In 2025/26, this included a tax-free stipend of £20,780 paid in monthly instalments, tuition fees at the Home rate, extensive research support funding, and support for an external placement of up to 6 months. Both home and international students can apply, but there are limited international fee waivers available. International applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the primary supervisor of a project before applying to discuss. Part-time study is available at a minimum of 50%, funding will be provided pro rata.
