PhD Studentship: PhD Opportunity Title Integrated Analysis of Atmospheric, Land, and Health Impacts of Wildfires, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2026 Entry

University of Exeter - Department of Mathematics and Statistics

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

This project investigates the cascading impacts of wildfires on the atmosphere, land systems, and human health. The core science questions are: How do wildfire emissions affect atmospheric composition and air quality? What are the spatial and temporal dynamics of wildfire-driven land change? How do these changes translate into population health risks?

The Doctoral Researcher will play a central role in shaping the research direction by selecting study regions, refining analytical approaches, and integrating methods across atmospheric science, remote sensing, and epidemiology. Their contributions will be key to bridging disciplinary perspectives and ensuring flexibility to address emerging datasets and challenges.

Comprehensive on-the-job training will be provided by the supervisory team, encompassing advanced geospatial analysis, remote sensing methods, atmospheric transport modelling, and epidemiological data integration. The researcher will also receive guidance in handling large datasets, developing spatial statistical models, and translating results into actionable insights for policy and adaptation.

The strength of the project lies in its interdisciplinarity, combining atmospheric science, Earth observation, and public health to generate a holistic understanding of wildfire impacts. This integrated perspective ensures both scientific innovation and practical relevance, contributing to improved resilience and evidence-based strategies for managing wildfire risks.

Useful recruitment links:

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: o.m.rodriguez-de-rivera-ortega@exeter.ac.uk