PhD Studentship in Ecology and Agri-Environmental Research: Agroforestry trees for soil health, climate resilience, and food security

Silvoarable agroforestry is a promising approach to help mitigate the climate and biodiversity crises. In silvoarable systems, trees are planted in rows within arable fields. This can enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, soil health, food production and profitability. Healthy soils are important for creating climate-resilient agriculture by maintaining water under drought and infiltrating it in heavy rain. Additionally, the trees provide shade, which makes silvoarable farming promising for climate resilience.

The potential for silvoarable farming to deliver environmental and production benefits has prompted the UK government to commit to increase silvoarable land from <1% to 10% of arable land by 2050. However, there are significant knowledge gaps around effective silvoarable design and implementation. This PhD will quantify silvoarable’s potential to enhance climate resilience under three climate scenarios, thereby helping to future-proof UK agriculture. Objectives:

• Evaluate the long-term viability of silvoarable systems compared to arable systems in terms of soil health and climate resilience
• Assess how a suite of projected future climate scenarios influences the performance and sustainability of silvoarable systems.

This research will be conducted in England within an established social-ecological research programme. As part of a wider research team, you will simulate climate change in silvoarable and arable fields over three years using irrigation systems and drought shelters.

You will collect microclimate and soil health data, including soil biodiversity (springtails, earthworms). Soil biodiversity is understudied despite its importance, and taxonomic training to gain expertise in this specialist area will be provided.

You will work closely with DEFRA to gain experience in agricultural policy making, including conducting a three-month placement with DEFRA.

Eligibility: 

This studentship is open only to students qualifying for UK (home) fee status, as determined by the UKRI guidelines (see ukri.org).

The student must have a relevant degree at a minimum of a 2:1 level. A relevant MSc is desirable. They must demonstrate skills in teamwork and field ecology. An understanding of ecology/agriculture in the UK is required. Experience identifying invertebrates is desirable.

Funding:   

This studentship covers UK fees for 4 years and a normally tax-free stipend at the UKRI’s rate for four years (2024/25 rate is £19,237). This project comes with a generous Support Grant (£25,000), funded by a University of Reading Fellowship and DEFRA.

How to apply:  

Application deadline: 17/01/2025

Interviews: February 2025

Start date: September 2025

Please apply for a 'PhD in Ecology and Agri-Environmental Research' through our online application system and include a 1-2 page CV and a 1-page cover letter detailing your relevant experience, skills, and eligibility: this includes whether you have UK (home) fee status, as determined by UKRI (ukri.org). When the system asks for a research proposal, simply put the project title and the lead supervisor in and move on to the next section. Quote studentship reference number DRC25-004 when the application requests funding information.

Further details: Amelia Hood (a.s.hood@reading.ac.uk)

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