Details
The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey.
We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.
Various support and guidance on applying for an ACCE DTP studentship, including how to apply; what we’re looking for (including our assessment rubric); details of financial support, training, and placement opportunities available; and details of our recruitment process, can be found at accedtp.ac.uk, in the ‘prospective applicants’ tab.
Project Overview
Urban trees provide critical environmental and socio-cultural benefits to city dwellers. In recognition of their importance to sustainable cities and communities, there is a global drive to increase urban tree cover, with an increasing focus on native vs non-native species selection to maximise benefits to biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, stakeholders interested in the urban forest lack adequate research-led information to make decisions about tree species selection for resilience to pressures experienced in the urban env
ironment (e.g. pollution, extreme heat), future climate change and pests and diseases. Addressing these knowledge-gaps is critical to ensuring a sustainable and resilient urban forest for future generations.
This PhD will address the following research objectives:
Obj1: Determine resilience of native versus non-native tree species to abiotic and biotic stresses experienced in the urban environment
Obj2: Evaluate the invertebrate communities (herbivores and pollinators) supported by native versus non-native species and their interactions with urban stress
Obj3: Model the impact of urban pressures and herbivory on tree health and ecosystem service provision by native and non-native urban trees.
The objectives will be addressed using a combination of: traditional field measurements and monitoring, manipulation experiments, remote sensing, in-situ Internet of Things enabled tree sensors, environmental omics (eDNA analysis of host plant use, metabolomic profiling of natives vs non-natives).
The supervisors have the unique combination of expertise to deliver this PhD, with Dr Edmondson’s (School of Biosciences) expertise in urban ecology, Dr Campbell’s (School of Biosciences) expertise in plant-insect interactions, Dr Crofts’s (School of Biosciences) expertise in remote sensing and plant physiology and Dr Pillat’s (Sheffield City Council) expertise in urban tree management.
This project will give the PhD student the opportunity to develop a range of skills highly applicable to the problems presented by climate change and the biodiversity crisis and the opportunity to work with and co-design research with stakeholders in urban forest management.
Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
Knowledge background in ecology, plant biology or environmental sciences
Experience working in field and lab environments
Ability to work on your own to develop skills required for the project and to work as part of a dynamic research group
Background understanding of invertebrate ecology
Experience of research in urban ecosystems
Experience working with stakeholders outside of academia
How to Apply
Notes and details of how to apply are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/
All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a cv and the contact details of 2 referees.
Informal enquiries may be made to [email protected]
Part-Time Study Options
All ACCE PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.
Project CASE Status
This project is not a CASE project. While individual applicant quality is our overriding criterion for selection, the ACCE DTP has a commitment for 40% of all studentships to be CASE funded - as such, CASE projects may be favoured in shortlisting applicants when candidates are otherwise deemed to be equal or a consensus on student quality cannot be reached. This will only be done as a last resort for separating candidates.
Funding Information
NERC ACCE DTP programme starts from October 2024.
UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:
• Stipend (2023/24 UKRI rate £18,622)
• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2023/24 rate £4,712)
• Research support and training grant (RTSG)
Note - UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees. The DTP partners have various schemes which allow international students to join the DTP but only be required to pay home fees. Home fees are already covered in the UKRI funding, meaning that successful international candidates do not need to find any additional funding for fees.