How to apply

Are you passionate about solving complex environmental challenges? Interested
in creating non-toxic rural landscapes and food systems that benefit society
and nature alike? 

These exciting PhD projects, part of the NERC-funded ECOSOLUTIONS Doctoral Focal Award, offer the opportunity to help tackle the problem of chemical pollution in rural environments. 

Projects available:

• Project 1 - The environmental benefits and risks of innovative urine-based fertilisers in sustainable agriculture (Dr Jason Snape, York)

• Project 2 - Pollutants and land use pressures: impacts on food production, ecosystem services and human health (Dr Maria Val Martin, Sheffield)

• Project 3 - Is biochar production the answer to biosolid reuse? (Dr Mark Hodson, York)

• Project 4 - Source to sea: understanding and managing the risks of chemical contamination in coastal fisheries (Professor Alistair Boxall, York)

• Project 5 - Harnessing plants and fungi for the bioremediation of pollutants in wastewater-derived sludges (Dr Liz Rylott, York)

• Project 6 - Farming futures: comparing regenerative and conventional practices on soil, chemical use, and ecosystems in a changing climate (Dr Sam Harrison (UKCEH)

• Project 7 - Understanding interactions between wastewater and pesticides on the fate of AMR in fields (Dr Ellie Harrison, Sheffield)

• Project 8 - IMEMRE: Development of an impact measurement (Immune, Emergence, Resistance) for food systems chemicals on human immune disease, infection and AMR (Prof Simon Johnston, Sheffield) 

• Project 9 - Forever chemicals in agricultural food systems (Dr Elma Lahive, UKCEH)

• Project 10 - Understanding impacts of innovative agri-tech pest and disease control solutions on biodiversity and emergent ecosystem processes (Dr Pragna Das, York)

• Project 11 - Harnessing microbes and cold plasma to concentrate and destroy PFA ‘forever chemicals’ (Dr Oliver Meacock, Sheffield)

• Project 12 - Future projections and sustainable scenarios for UK agricultural systems (Dr Stephen Lofts, UKCEH)

• Project 13 - Fast-tracking food safety: cutting-edge mass spectrometry for protecting food supplies from hidden environmental contaminants (Dr Jackie Mosely, York)

• Project 14 - Investigating the ecological benefits and implications of circular sanitation fertiliser production (Dr Ben Keane, York)

• Project 15 - Unavoidable food waste valorisation: detection, hazard and risk of rogue chemical residues (Professor Avtar Matharu, York)

• Project 16 - Uncovering the mechanisms of pharmaceuticals impact on agricultural productivity (Professor Andrew Beckerman, Sheffield)

What happens next?

All applications will be assessed by the ECOSOLUTIONS executive committee to identify candidates who meet the PhD entry requirements and demonstrate a strong motivation to join the ECOSOLUTIONS programme. Successful candidates will then be invited to an interview which will be online and take place in January 2026. 

Helpful videos to support you during the application process:

Preparing your PhD application (YouTube)

Watch this video for some top tips on writing PhD applications, including what skills and competencies you could include. 

How to prepare for a PhD interview and presentation (YouTube)

Watch this video for tips on how to approach an interview and presentation.

Tips on meeting your potential supervisors (YouTube)

Watch this video to find out what to expect and what you can achieve from meeting with the supervisor or supervisory team.