Discuss your SELF-FUNDED PhD idea with a SAMS researcher
We are open to talk to prospective students who have an idea for a PhD research project that sits well within our research areas and who are able to fund the project themselves.
Here is some advice on the best way to pitch your idea to us:
> Firstly, learn more about our research areas and the research currently being conducted at SAMS. Decide which area your idea is relevant to and consider how it could enhance our research efforts.
> Look at the individual researcher pages over on our “People” page and identify who may be a suitable PhD supervisor for your research idea.
> Finally, make initial contact. There are two ways to go about this:
> Get in touch with our PhD team first to discuss your ideas and get advice about the costs of a PhD before going direct to the researcher. Send an email to phd@sams.ac.uk making it clear to the team that you have means to fund the project yourself. A member of staff will then be able to help advise on potential supervisors and may even be able to pass on your idea and enquiry to the relevant people.
> Go direct to the researcher. If you have full confidence in your research idea and have researched suitable supervisors, then contact them, preferably via email, with a summary of your idea, making it clear that you have means to self-fund the project. Please bear in mind that our scientists are very busy and may not reply straight away.
Good luck!
Looking for self-funded PhD project ideas?
Our scientists have proposed some topics for self-funded students to consider:
>Innovation in the Environmental Monitoring of Scottish Lochhead Saltmarshes; a forgotten global specialist
Advanced UAV and satellite-based Mapping and Conservation of Seagrass Ecosystems. Director of Studies: Dr Niall Burnside
>Multi-stressor resilience and vulnerability in intertidal systems. Multi-stressor impacts on coastal Antarctic and temperate sea urchins. Venom defence system of sea urchins. Environment genetic toxicology and stress response system in marine invertebrates. Director of Studies: Dr Helena Reinardy
>SE Greenland marine terminating glaciers – ice-ocean interaction; their bathymetric and oceanographic context. Director of Studies: Professor John Howe
>Pop goes the plankton: Exploring newly discovered zooplankton sound production in marine environments.
Director of Studies: Dr Kim Last
> Addressing the pervasive problem of marine litter on Scotland’s coastline. Director of Studies:Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy
>Sea lice at depth - Do they pose a problem for innovative salmon farm designs? Director of Studies: Dr Andrew Dale
Self-funded students will require to have in the region of £20,000 per year for living expenses to be in line with RCUK doctoral stipends on top of the fees.
For UHI PhD projects, click here for the current fees.
For self-funded PhDs, you need to have identified an approved PhD project (including a Director of Studies / supervisory team) that you have developed with a SAMS supervisor and have funding for.
When these aspects are in place, please complete the student sections of the RD1 research degree application form and return your completed application to the email stated on the form, accompanied by all relevant supporting documentation listed below.
Supporting documentation required
Two academic references: Your two referees should use the applicant reference request form form to return their references directly to the email stated on the form. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their referees submit their references in good time as your application cannot be considered without these.
Please create a single pdf file of the following documents to return with your application:
1. Your research proposal
2. Your CV
3. Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If these are not in English, they must be accompanied by a full, certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
4. If English is not your native language, please provide an English language test certificate (e.g. IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and no element below 6.0) passed within the last 2 years.
5. If you are not a UK national, please provide a copy of the photo page of your passport, plus any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK.
If you wish to apply for more than one project, please submit separate applications.
For self-funding PhD students:
For administrative issues, your first and main point of contact is the Postgraduate Academic Support Administrator who can be contacted by email to: phd@sams.ac.uk
The SAMS graduate school is convened by marine deep-sea ecologist and microplastic researcher, Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy:
E: Bhavani.Narayanaswamy@sams.ac.uk T: +44 (0) 1631 559 305 (direct)