Director of Studies: Prof. Andrew Sweetman (SAMS)
Supervisory Team: Prof. Bhavani Narayanaswamy (SAMS), Prof. Franz Geiger (Northwestern University, Chicago, USA), Prof. Jeffrey Marlow (Boston University, USA).
Application Deadline: Wednesday April 30th 2025, 17:00 BST.
Interview Date: Tuesday May 20th 2025 (morning)
Course Start Date: 1st October 2025
Funded PhD Project: This 3.5 year PhD studentship is fully funded by the Nippon Foundation for students who qualify for Home (UK) fees status and follows UKRI funding guidance. The studentship covers Home (UK) tuition fees, a maintenance stipend and a research training grant.
Further information about the project
The student will participate in sample collection with deep-sea landers at deep-sea field sites in the Pacific Ocean and carry out isotope labelling studies to parameterize deep-sea biogeochemical cycling. The student will also undertake electrochemical studies using polymetallic nodules and microbial studies to better understand the role of electrochemistry and microbiology in deep-sea biogeochemical cycles. The PhD student will work within the Benthic Ecology and Biogeochemistry laboratory at the Scottish Association for Marine Science. The studentship will be a part of a major deep-sea project exploring dark oxygen production in deep-sea environments led by SAMS, Northwestern University, and Boston University. The student will be required to attend multiple 45-day research cruises to sample deep-sea field sites in the Pacific Ocean. The studentship will also have the possibility to make research exchange trips to collaborators in the USA, as well as attend national and international research conferences and project meetings.
This 3.5 year PhD studentship is fully funded by the Nippon Foundation for students who qualify for Home (UK) fees status and follows UKRI funding guidance. The studentship covers Home (UK) tuition fees, a maintenance stipend and a research training grant.
To qualify for Home (UK) fees status, applicants must be either a UK National (meeting residency requirements) or meet the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme and have either settled status, pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements) or indefinite leave to remain or enter. All other International applicants will be required to pay the difference between home fees and international fees themselves. Continuing students’ annual tuition fees are subject to revision annually and typically increase between 1.5-3% per annum.
Postgraduate Research fees can be viewed on the UHI website: How much will it cost? - Research postgraduate tuition fees
How to Apply for this Project:
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 30th April 2025, 17:00 BST.
Interview date: In person on Tuesday 20th May, 2025 (morning).
This PhD project is registered through the University of the Highlands and Islands, and this page outlines the application procedure for UHI PhDs.
We adhere strictly to equality and diversity policies during all phases of recruitment so that we find the most talented and motivated students to join us.
Eligibility
To be eligible to study for a PhD at SAMS UHI, applicants need to possess - in a relevant discipline and from a reputable institution:
- A Master's qualification and / or
- A Bachelor degree with first class or upper second class honours and / or
- Another qualification or substantial experience that demonstrates your academic competence to complete doctoral training successfully (to be approved by the UHI Research Degrees Committee on the recommendation of the SAMS Director).
- Additionally, international students whose first language is not English and who do not hold a prior degree obtained in English must hold an IELTS qualification with a score of 6 or over in every section with a minimum score of 6.5 overall (6+ in writing), gained within two years prior to your registration date.
How to Apply
Please complete Sections 1-4 of the application form: RD1 Research Degree Student application
Return your completed application form with all supporting documents listed below as one pdf to the email stated on the form. Please ask your referees to complete and return the PhD Applicant Reference Request form to phd@sams.ac.uk.
Supporting Documentation Required
The following documents should be emailed with your application as one pdf file:
- CV
- Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by a full certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
- If English is not your native language, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent), gained within the past two years;
- If you are not a UK national, a copy of the photo page of your passport. Also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK;
- 2 academic references. If references are not available at the time of submission, they can be excluded from the single pdf file, however applicants are responsible for ensuring their referees submit the references to the email given on the application form by the deadline.
For further information about the project, please contact: Prof. Andrew K. Sweetman.
For administrative issues, and to submit your application, your first and main point of contact is the Postgraduate Academic Support Administrator who can be contacted by email to: phd@sams.ac.uk