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
Cities face urgent difficulties to act on biodiversity, climate change and equitable access to green spaces and their essential ecosystems services. Urban tree networks offer great potential, by connecting ecosystems, providing recreational spaces, and mitigating air pollution, flooding and urban heat islands. Increasing tree cover in socially innovative ways – working with citizens to restore ecosystems – represents an exciting opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives. However, climate change places strains on urban trees with differing capacities to adapt to fast-changing environmental conditions and climate change stressors. New knowledge is needed on the capacity of trees and urban forestry programmes to respond to these critical threats. We therefore seek to recruit a PhD student to develop more accurate data on future tree populations in cities to inform better recommendations.
We offer a great team to supervise your PhD studies. Receiving excellent research training you’ll pursue your own, novel agenda in predicting and mitigating climate change impacts on trees and urban forestry strategies. You’ll join the enthusiastic research groups of Wild and Evans (e.g. H2020 Conexus), and Mersey Forest, a outstanding community forest with a strong track record in research and innovation in urban trees.
You’ll use GIS-based spatial analyses and fieldwork with partners on all research process aspects, including data collection, analysis, and knowledge exchange. With a strong desire to publish in peer-reviewed journals you can demonstrate your interest in relevant disciplines (ecology, environmental science, landscape architecture).
Our Departments of Landscape Architecture and Biosciences provide excellent research bases, comprising vibrant and friendly communities of PhD students and staff. We offer a vibrant, diverse and welcoming group with a strong, international track record for innovation and research impact, and interdisciplinary approaches spanning different sectors of society (public, private, NGOs). The 2021 REF confirmed both Departments’ positions as world-leading research centres.
Essential Criteria
- Strong ecological knowledge and a desire to conduct inter-disciplinary research that incorporates ecological and social science research skills.
- Quantitative analysis skills in a suitable statistical package.
- Good team working skills and an ability to develop effective working relationships with people from a broad range of backgrounds and institutions.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of interdisciplinary research involving qualitative social science methods and/or GIS experience and/or experience of urban ecology research.
- An understanding and interest in the development and application of methods to understand climate change impacts on ecology and ecosystem services in cities.
- Since the project will involve linkages with international partners (notably in Brazil) language skills are desirable and would be advantageous.
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 a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-6 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations. Your CASE partner will also contribute an additional £1000 per year to your Research and Training Support Grant.
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.