Application Deadline: 19 February 2026
Details
Applications are invited for a Transforming Lives PhD scholarship in the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC), commencing 01 October 2026
The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £5006, and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £22,152 per year in the academic year 2025/26. This stipend payment will increase annually based on the living wage rate for the duration of the scholarship.
PhD Title: Empowering Doe Lea River communities with environmental citizen science
UK rivers face persistent water quality challenges, often impacting communities with high levels of deprivation. The River Doe Lea in Derbyshire exemplifies this issue, with pollution from sewage discharge, industrial legacy contaminants, poor soil management, and urban runoff continuing to impact existing environmental injustices. This PhD project aims to transform the relationship between local communities and their river through innovative citizen science and collaborative data-driven approaches.
The project will explore three key areas:
Accessible Data Visualisation: To determine what constitutes best practice for presenting river health data in ways that empower communities, the student will review existing datasets, develop inclusive visualisation methods, and co-create a digital data hub with local stakeholders.
Citizen Science Methodologies: To explore how community-led monitoring can fill critical knowledge gaps, the successful student will work with local groups to design and validate citizen science protocols to generate reliable pollution data, training participants to collect and interpret findings.
Social and Science Capital: To understand how participation in citizen science enhances community agency and environmental advocacy, the student will evaluate changes in social networks, empowerment, and policy influence, alongside measurable improvements in river health.
This research addresses urgent UK water quality issues while tackling social inequality, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals for Clean Water and Sanitation and Reduced Inequalities. By integrating community knowledge with scientific rigor, the project will produce actionable insights for environmental management and foster stronger, healthier communities.
This is an interdisciplinary research project which bridges Sheffield Hallam University’s Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre and Institute of Social Sciences and works in partnership with the Don Catchment Rivers Trust.
You are encouraged to contact: Mel Lacey (m.lacey@shu.ac.uk) for further information prior to applying
The BMRC https://www.shu.ac.uk/biomolecular-sciences-research-centre fosters a positive research community. Successful applicants will join a community of PGR students, postdoctoral researchers, academic staff, and professional services staff who are committed to supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and collaborating to advance research in the field.
The BMRC is also committed to helping PhD students improve their skills. Throughout their research, students will have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, gaining a wide range of transferable skills such as communication, presentation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and will be given the chance to present their work at national and international conferences. Additionally, all students will have access to teaching and outreach opportunities.
Eligibility:
Essential criteria for applicants are a first degree at 2:1 or higher in a biological, physical or social science (e.g. biology, chemistry, geography, architecture) or a related discipline.
The candidate should have experience in at least one of: data science and data visualisation; field work; environmental science; public engagement; social sciences framework methodology. Experience in multiple areas is desirable. Training will be provided during this interdisciplinary PhD; it is not expected that candidates will have experience in all areas before application, but they must be enthusiastic to learn across disciplines. The candidate must have the ability to work collaboratively across different disciplines and research sites; and good written and oral scientific communication skills.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals from groups underrepresented in postgraduate research, including but not limited to women, LGBTQ+, and minoritised ethnic groups.
Home students from minority groups will be fast-tracked to interview on condition of meeting the minimum entry requirements.
Information for international applicants
Please see the funding notes section of this advert for important fee information.
Sheffield Hallam has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants from Countries not included in the UKVI exemption list here: https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions. This qualification must have been taken within the last two-years, with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas and may be required even if you have previous qualifications gained at UK institutions. Please do check with the Postgraduate research team: Health-pgr@shu.ac.uk prior to application as this qualification must be submitted as part of the scholarship application.
How to apply
To apply for this scholarship, please use our online application form: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/biosciences-and-chemistry/phd-biomolecular-sciences-research-centre/full-time/2026
You must ensure that you upload:
1. A personal statement (1 page maximum) detailing your interest in the project and how your experience in academia, industry, research or social activities makes you the best candidate (Please upload this in place of a proposal). We’re looking for evidence of:
• motivation and curiosity for postgraduate research
• analytical and technical expertise related to the research proposal
• ability to communicate clearly
• planning and organisational skills
• ability to work independently and collaborate with others
• commitment to integrity and responsible research
• resilience to setbacks and challenges
• where you might contribute to teaching
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two referees, at least one from an academic and both dated within the last 2 years
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate
4. Copy of your passport
5. Non-UK applicants must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years
Application deadline: 19 Feb 2026 at 12 noon UK time.. Late applications will not be accepted,
Interviews: March 2026
If you experience issues submitting your online application, or for general enquiries please contact:Health-PGR-admissions@shu.ac.uk
Information about our research degrees can be found here.
Funding Notes
Our PhD Scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants, however, the bursary will cover the home fee only. The shortfall between the home and EU/ international fee, currently around £12,420 per year, must be covered by the student for the duration of the scholarship. No additional funding will be available to assist international students with this fee gap.
Applicants must have the resources set out above to fund their study. Please note that the monthly stipend payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap, as they cover basic living expenses only.
