University of Exeter PhD Studentship in Quantifying natural flood management 2025

The University’s Department of Geography invites applications for a PhD studentship funded by the Environment Agency and South West Water and the University of Exeter to commence as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  Students will be based at the CREWW building on Streatham Campus in Exeter.

This PhD will address research gaps in quantifying how much peatland restoration can benefit NFM efforts in moorland. Specifically, there is a need to understand how and why peak flow reductions persist following restoration and reduced surface water storage capacity during events, and the potential for peatland restoration to have significant impacts on peak flow reductions if a wider area of the moor is restored. This PhD will employ in-depth hydrological monitoring and fine-scale, fully distributed hydrological modelling, with the ultimate goal of optimising NFM strategies in moorland, to improve flood resilience for rural, upland communities.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineAugust 22, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Exeter
• City to studyExeter
• School to studyUniversity of Exeter
• Course to studyEnvironmental Sciences & Geography
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time

Requirements

• Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Physical Geography, Environmental Sciences, Civil Engineering and cognate areas. 
• Applicants with a Master’s degree in a related area are particularly welcome to apply.
• If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

Selection Process

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply. However, they should be aware that the award only covers part of the international tuition fee—approximately £25,000. They will need an alternative source of funds to cover all of their living expenses. 

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents:

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your research vision for this PhD, academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to join the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to [email protected] quoting the studentship reference number.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 22nd of August 2025.  Interviews will be held either virtually or in person at the University of Exeter Streatham Campus on the week commencing 1st of September 2025.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5548 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

For more detaiuls, visit University of Exeter Scholarship webpage