PhD studentship for September 2026 Entry - Understanding Ecological Responses from Hydro-Geomorphic Changes using large wood in River Restoration. NERC GW4+ DTP

University of Exeter - Department of Geography

Funding: For eligible students the studentship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend.

About the Partnership

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:

• An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £20,780 p.a. for 2026/27) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
• Payment of university tuition fees
• The budget for project costs is £9,000 which can be used for computer, lab, and fieldwork costs necessary for you to conduct your research.
• There is also a conference budget of £2,000 and individual Training Budget of £1,000 for specialist training

Project Aims and Methods

Nature-based solutions, such as the reintroduction of large wood into rivers to restore natural processes, are increasingly employed to address habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and flood-risk.

This PhD aims to monitor and model the ecological responses of plant and aquatic wildlife communities when a river is restored with large wood, to provide evidence-based guidance to policymakers and practitioners. It will answer three critical questions:

1. How does large wood alter physical habitat complexity and environmental conditions that support biodiversity?
2. What are the short- and long-term effects of large wood on population dynamics and biodiversity?
3. Which functional ecological indicators best capture the success of large wood restoration?

The researcher will develop their research methods, and shape the research direction, with supervision from an experienced team and the possibility to join leading research centres (CREWW in Exeter and UKCEH). The supervisory team will provide expert training in hydrological and ecological modelling, fieldwork techniques (including UAV-based LiDAR and multispectral imageries), and lab analyses. The PhD will benefit from participation in a wider 'large wood' project with over 12-partners (including Environment Agency, SEPA, Natural England) who will offer site access, data sharing, methodological guidance, and pathways for embedding results within restoration practice.

Collaborative Partner

Natural England will provide access to site, guidance on sites and sharing of existing data.

Useful recruitment links:

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: d.panici@exeter.ac.uk