"Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Climate Costs of Boreal Forest Clear-cutting - A Multiscale Experiment (CORE)"

Boreal forests constitute the second largest forest biome after the tropical rainforest, with an estimated contribution of 20% of the global terrestrial CO2 sink. To date, very little is known about the impact of clear-cuts in boreal forest ecosystems on their total greenhouse gas (GHG) balance, particularly the role of hydrogeological drivers during the early recovery years.

This exciting PhD project will focus on the climate effects of rotation forestry at the European Research Infrastructure ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) in Norunda, Sweden. This is the first time globally that GHG fluxes will be interpreted in conjunction with subsurface hydrogeophysical data. Overall, the project's results will improve quantification and reduce uncertainties of the GHG budgets for the boreal forests.

The PhD project is linked to a large Swedish research project that aims to assess the biotic and abiotic climate effects (“costs”) of rotation forestry. The PhD student will gain research experience in state-of-the-art hydrogeophysical methods, hydrological modelling, soil flux analysis, and be able to work in an international team with world-leading scientists.

The PhD student will identify the spatiotemporal impacts of clear-cutting on soil physical characteristics, hydrogeology and GHG emissions. Existing benchmark data like below-ground geophysical, hydrogeological, and soil properties, and above-ground soil and ecosystem GHG fluxes were collected prior to the recent forest clear-cut. These data will be complemented by equivalent new ‘after clear-cut’ measurements by the PhD student, allowing the assessment of both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ clear-cut hydrological states and GHG fluxes.

The many diverse training opportunities will include field-based geophysical measurements using a range of geoelectrical techniques, GHG soil flux measurements and associated soil-based analyses, as well as analysis of ecosystem GHG fluxes and remotely sensed data. We will support the PhD student in publishing the results in high-quality journals and in presenting these at international conferences. The post is based at Swansea University, United Kingdom, and will include several weeks of fieldwork campaigns at the Norunda research station in Sweden (100 km north of Stockholm), with the opportunity for extended visits at Lund University, Sweden.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.