Applications are invited for a funded PhD studentship through the NERC-funded CENTA Doctoral Training Partnership and Cranfield University. The award will cover UK tuition fees, provide a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate and include research and training support. The project will investigate acid sulfate soils: sulfide-rich soils that can generate sulfuric acid and release metals following drainage, excavation, drought or rewetting. Combining soil classification, LandIS legacy data, field sampling and predictive mapping, the researcher will identify where these soils occur and determine how land management history influences acidification hazards across agricultural peatlands and coastal wetland restoration sites.
Acid sulfate soils contain sulfide minerals that generate sulfuric acid when exposed to oxygen through drainage, excavation or drought. Rewetting can then mobilise stored acidity and metals into surrounding waters. These processes can damage aquatic ecosystems, reduce agricultural productivity and complicate wetland restoration. Climate-driven drought, changing water management and expanding restoration programmes make it increasingly important to identify these soils before disturbance and understand how they may respond.
This PhD aims to establish how reliably existing soil information can predict acid sulfate soil occurrence and whether land management history improves predictions of acidification responses. The researcher will combine soil classifications, historical profile descriptions and information from Cranfield’s LandIS Soils Data Portal with geological, terrain and hydrological data, archived samples and fresh, depth-resolved field observations. Statistical and machine learning models will be developed and independently validated across contrasting UK landscapes. Agricultural and coastal restoration case studies will then test whether drainage, disturbance and rewetting obscure, preserve or reveal diagnostic soil signals.
The project will be based at Cranfield University, which has extensive expertise in soil science, environmental data and predictive soil mapping and curates the LandIS national soil information resource. The studentship is funded through the NERC-funded CENTA Doctoral Training Partnership and Cranfield University. UKCEH will provide co-supervision, access to established Lowland Peat research sites, including Pymoor, and relevant soil profile, hydrological and management information. GTK in Finland will act as the formal CASE partner.
The research will deliver an independently tested predictive mapping framework, evidence showing where and why existing classifications succeed or fail, and improved understanding of how management history influences acid sulfate soil hazards. These outputs will be translated into practical guidance, reproducible workflows and mapping resources to support soil investigation, agricultural water management, environmental regulation and wetland restoration.
The project offers an unusual combination of national soil datasets, field and laboratory research, spatial modelling and direct engagement with practitioners. A planned three-month placement with GTK will develop specialist expertise in acid sulfate soil identification and predictive mapping. The researcher will also benefit from UKCEH research sites and datasets, specialist engagement with Green Shores and other land management and restoration stakeholders. Opportunities are planned to present findings at UK and international conferences, including BSSS Annual Conference.
The researcher will gain advanced skills in soil description and classification, diagnostic sampling, soil biogeochemistry, statistical and machine learning modelling and reproducible research. They will also develop transferable skills in project planning, scientific writing, interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder engagement and communicating evidence to policy and practitioner audiences. This combination will prepare the graduate for careers in environmental research, consultancy, government, land management, geospatial analysis and natural resource policy.
At a glance
- Application deadline06 Jan 2027
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date27 Sep 2027
- Duration of award3.5 yeasr (full-time) - 6 years (part-time)
- EligibilityUK, Rest of world
- Reference numberCRAN-0114
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit applicants from backgrounds including soil science, environmental science, geography, geology, earth science, ecology, hydrology, or related subjects. We welcome candidates interested in combining field and laboratory investigation with environmental data, GIS and predictive modelling. Applicants should be curious, willing to work across disciplines and comfortable developing both practical and quantitative skills. Previous experience in soil classification, acid sulfate soils, programming or spatial modelling is welcome but not essential, as specialist training will be provided. Applicants should also be willing to undertake fieldwork and an international placement.
Funding
Sponsored by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Cranfield University through the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA3), this studentship will provide a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (of up to £ 21,805) plus Home-rate tuition fees for 3.5 years.
This studentship is open to both Home and international applicants. However, the studentship only covers tuition fees at the Home fee rate. International applicants are therefore responsible for covering the difference between the Home and international tuition fee rates from another source, for example through self-funding or other external funding. No international fee waiver is available for this studentship.
International applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisors before applying if they have any questions about the funding arrangements.
Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
Sharing data
UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used to report on individuals or specific universities. The data will be used to analyse general trends in student populations across UKRI's portfolio.
Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield
At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.
We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum.
Our Student Wellbeing and Disability support team provide a range of support and coordinate reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental and physical health conditions. Please contact studentsupport@cranfield.ac.uk for support queries, the information you provide will be confidential.
Cranfield Doctoral Network
Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This Network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge.
Doctoral Researchers’ Core Development (DRCD) Programme
An important part of the research journey is developing key skills that will benefit a research students research and professional development. As a research student at Cranfield, you will be expected to attend the DRCD programme which comprises of four 1 week units which cover the key stages of your research journey. Workshops are held face to face, providing the opportunity for you to network and collaborate with your peers during these valuable development sessions. For further details visit Cranfield's Doctoral Network.
How to apply
For further information please contact:
Name: Dr Dan Evans
Email: Daniel.L.Evans@cranfield.ac.uk
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
Applicants must complete and upload the CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 as part of their application to Cranfield University.
The CENTA form is mandatory and must be submitted in addition to your CV and the standard Cranfield application requirements. Applications submitted without a completed CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 will not be considered for the CENTA studentship.
Note, your application will not be considered unless all relevant documents have been uploaded. For more information please visit Applying for a research degree.
