PhD Studentship: Hidden Aquatic Biodiversity of Natural Flood Management Techniques

Project rationale:

There is increasing interest internationally in the application of ‘soft engineering’ techniques that work with the natural environment and slow / temporarily store water that would otherwise impact towns and cities as flood peaks (NFM report, 2024), known as Natural Flood Management (NFM). To date most research focused on NFM has centered on hydrological modelling and its effectiveness in reducing flood peaks at varying spatial scales. However, despite their wide application and increasing importance under sustainable environmental schemes, such as Environmental Land Management (ELMs), little is known about the contribution of NFM methods to landscape biodiversity or the different motivations for farmers to implement NFM techniques.

Previous research has indicated that small water bodies (Biggs et al., 2017), including artificial lentic waterbodies, may support high numbers of aquatic organisms and high conservation value. In addition, agricultural waterbodies provide much needed habitat heterogeneity for aquatic taxa in otherwise homogenous agriculture landscapes (Williams et al., 2004). It is therefore hypothesized that NFM waterbodies will support unique and biologically important communities at the landscape scale. This project will work with stakeholders engaged in agricultural management, rural resilience and flood management to provide information that will feed directly into policy and real-world applications.

Funding details

Studentship type – UKRI through Flood-CDT.

The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Excellent International candidates are eligible for a full international fee waiver however due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must already have, or expect to shortly graduate with, a very good undergraduate degree or Master’s degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree) – or an equivalent international qualification from a high ranking university – in a relevant subject. EU and Overseas applicants should achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each competency.

How to Apply

All applications should be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button. Under programme name, select Geography and Environment. Please quote the advertised reference number: FCDT-25-LU4 in your application. This PhD is being advertised as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Further details about FLOOD-CDT can be found here. Please note, that your application will be assessed upon: (1) Motivation and Career Aspirations; (2) Potential & Intellectual Excellence; (3) Suitability for specific project and (4) Fit to FLOOD-CDT. So please familiarise yourselves with FLOOD-CDT before applying. During the application process candidates will need to upload:

• a 1 page statement of your research interests in flooding and FLOOD-CDT and your rationale for your choice of project
• a curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests
• academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
• a IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable. 

You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss project specific aspects of the proposed prior to submitting your application. If you have any general questions please contact floodcdt@soton.ac.uk.

Advert information