This fully funded PhD project is part of the QUARTILES Doctoral Landscape Award, a BBSRC and NERC-funded research and training programme designed to equip PhD students with the skills, expertise, outlook, and real-world experience needed to become the next generation of scientific leaders capable of addressing pressing environmental grand challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability.
This exciting interdisciplinary PhD project focuses on characterising the geomorphology of the present day seabed around the UK to better understand the how , where and why seabed is changing and present and how has it changed in the past.
In shelf seas around the planet large areas of the seabed are currently being assessed and evaluated as potential sites for large scale renewable energy developments. To develop offshore wind farms, tidal turbines and route subsea cables it is essential to understand the seabed and the shallow subsurface to facilitate safe and minimum cost construction, while also minimising impact on the environment. The challenge is particularly complex on formerly glaciated continental shelves (for example the North Sea) where the geomorphological and sedimentary imprint of the last glaciation (25,000 years ago) is intertwined with more recent, and potentially very dynamic bedforms generated by waves and currents. In addition to the above, changes of the sea level following the last glaciation meant that parts of the present-day seabed were terrestrially exposed and formed palaeolandscape potentially inhabited by early humans therefore of key importance for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of offshore projects.
Research Approach: You’ll use large scale high resolution bathymetric datasets covering large parts of the UK continental shelf to map and understand the geomorphology and its implications for renewable energy projects palaeolandscape research. You will use GIS environment to address the research questions. There will be opportunities to acquire your ow bathymetric and sonar datasets unis Uncrewed Surface Vessels.
Training Opportunities: Comprehensive training in marine and engineering geomorphology, glacial geomorphology, marine archaeology, GIS and remote sensing. You will have the opportunity to engage with industry partners for whom this research is of vital importance.
Career Impact: This research will enable you to pursue a career in academia and industry alike. The is significant and growing industry demand for expertise in marine sediment mobility due to the growth of Offshore renewable industry sector. With the unique interdisciplinary background the graduate will be ideally suited to careers in engineering consulting, environmental and coastal management, marine geoscience and hydrography as well as regulatory or government bodies.
Skills and Experience: Some experience in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and interest in marine geoscience and, marine archaeology and/or engineering geology and geomorphology. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and offshore renewable energy.
Informal enquiries are encouraged! For further project information please contact the lead project supervisor by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry.
———————————
ELIGIBILITY:
Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion is core to the QUARTILES Doctoral Landscape Award. We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics.
We also invite applications from those returning from a career break, industry or other roles. We typically require a minimum 2:1 in your first degree (or equivalent), but exceptions can be made where applicants can demonstrate excellence in alternative ways, including, but not limited to, performance in masters courses, professional placements, internships or employment – this will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and is dependent upon approval from the relevant host institution. We offer flexible study arrangements such as part-time study (minimum 50%), however this does depend on the nature of the project/research so will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please email us at quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk
———————————
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
- Please visit this page for full application information: How to Apply – QUARTILES DLA
- Please send your completed QUARTILES application form, along with academic transcripts and certificates to quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk
- Please provide two academic references (we are unable to directly request references from your referees. If you would like to include references to support your application, please ensure they are provided directly to us. Some project supervisors may choose to contact your referees – please also include their contact details on your CV.
- Please ensure you submit all the required information and documentation.
- If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk
Funding Notes
This 45 Month (NERC) opportunity is open to UK and International students (The proportion of international students appointed to the QUARTILES DLA is capped at 30% by UKRI).
QUARTILES studentships include a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (£19,795 for the 2025/26 academic year, the 2026/27 rate has yet to be released), plus a training grant of £9,000 to support data collection activities throughout the PhD.
QUARTILES does not provide funding to cover visa and associated healthcare surcharges for international students.
Underwater Archaeology and Maritime History jobs 