Biosciences: Fully Funded Project Seagrass PhD Scholarship: The influence of water quality on Greenhouse Gas emissions from seagrass (RS662)

Funding providers: Project Seagrass

Subject areas: Seagrass, Climate Change, Biochemistry, Water Quality 

Project start date: 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September) 

Project supervisors:

• Associate Professor Richard Unsworth (r.k.f.unsworth@swansea.ac.uk)
• Associate Professor Eva Sonnenschein

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biosciences

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Understanding of the GHG emissions (sources) and removals (sinks) from natural habitats and the influence of anthropogenic factors on these are major knowledge gaps in how we manage the natural environment with respect to the risks of climate change. Seagrasses are a major potential stock of carbon, sequestering significant amounts of carbon annually, however, their distribution and health is compromised globally by elevated nutrients. These nutrients are leading to a breakdown of these habitats and potentially leaching carbon, in addition there may be further Greenhouse Emissions generated. Excess nutrients in other coastal and wetland habitats are leading to high levels of nitrous oxide and methane emissions, but data on this topic within seagrass is limited. This PhD will use the Milford Haven Waterway in West Wales (and potentially sites in Scotland) as case studies to examine the emissions of nitrous oxide and methane in the context of seagrass degradation in order to determine their drivers. The project will use a range of multi-disciplinary skills from biochemistry, ecology, molecular ecology and statistics.

Candidates must hold an UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject. Or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject – see country specific qualifications. 

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.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Biological Sciences/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

   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 event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS662 - Emissions from Seagrass’

*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.

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 Welsh Language requirement
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Associate Professor Richard Unsworth (r.k.f.unsworth@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.