Durham University

Homepage: https://www.durham.ac.uk/

A fully-funded PhD project “Weathering vs. climate change: Quantifying recent silicate weathering using novel isotope tracers” at Durham University, UK is available via the NERC DTP IAPETUS2 scholarship. The aim of this project is to develop a novel approach that uses isotope ratios to distinguish between “new” and “old” solutes in streams, revealing how weathering efficiency varies across catchments spatially and with varying discharge. To do this, the PhD student will measure and apply isotopic ratios of H2O, Si, Li, and Sr. The project will involve extensive fieldwork in Wales, UK.

Full project details are available here.

IAPETUS2 is a Doctoral Training Partnership that joins the leading research universities of Durham, Glasgow, Newcastle, St Andrews, Stirling and Heriot-Watt together with the British Geological Survey, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the British Antarctic Survey. It is a multidisciplinary DTP, funded and accredited through the Doctoral Landscape Awards by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), offering PhD students a world-class environment in which to study.

Application instructions are available here.

Prospective Home students (i.e., those who are a UK National (meeting residency requirements), have settled status, have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or have indefinite leave to remain or enter) should apply directly to Iapetus via the forms on our website by the DTP deadline of Friday 3rd January 2025 at 12pm (GMT). You are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisor of the proposed project to find out more. International Students must contact the relevant supervisor by no later than Monday 9th December 2024 to express an interest in the project, and to determine whether the supervisor would like to sponsor their application.

All applicants need to meet NERC’s eligibility criteria to be considered for an Iapetus studentship and these are detailed in the current UKRI studentship terms and conditions.

In order to address historical imbalances in the higher education sector, Iapetus is committed to recruiting a diverse, representative community of researchers in Environmental Science. The DTP has developed an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy to further this. This includes the Widening Participation Scheme, which identifies Home applicants from underrepresented groups. The DTP aims to give up to 30% of interview places to those eligible for this scheme. Also, we are pleased to introduce the Iapetus Diversifying Talent Scholarship Scheme, a separate competition designed for those from underrepresented groups. For more, please see the Iapetus website.