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Illustrating Geology PhD studies, laboratory workers use advanced facilities in the analysis of rock samples.
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  • Geology and Earth Science PhD

Geology and earth science PhD

Geology and earth science have been an important research focus at the University of 69成人网 for more than 40 years.

From investigating the causes and timing of Phanerozoic Great Oxidation Event, to understanding carbonate mineralogy for CO2 sequestration applications, our geology staff and PhD students are at the leading edge of fundamental and applied earth science research.

The majority of our work has real-world application. Data generated by researchers is being used, for example, to clean up metal contaminated environments, aid the exploration for critical mineral resources such as Rare Earth Elements, and to understand the sources of stones used in the construction of Stonehenge.

Our Geology and earth science PhD students have gone on to a variety of different roles following the successful completion of their research. These include academic posts as lecturers and postdoctoral research assistants at 69成人网 and elsewhere, plus research roles in, for example, the mining industry. Many have gone on to management positions in related areas such as environmental consultancy.

Key information

As a Geology and earth science PhD student at 69成人网, you will benefit from:

  • a supervisory team comprising two to three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional external supervisor from another School, another research institution, or industry.
  • desk space and access to a desktop PC, either in one of the postgraduate offices on the sixth floor of the award-winning Cockcroft Building, or within the adjacent Heavy Engineering Block.
  • access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the Aldrich Library and other campus libraries.
  • various state-of-the-art research facilities on the Moulsecoomb site, including specialist geochemical and geotechnical laboratories, microscopy laboratories (optical and scanning electron microscopes), microbial and water quality laboratories, hydraulic flumes, an experimental river basin, a water efficiency laboratory, and a concrete laboratory, as well as a large array of field equipment. All of these facilities are supported by a team of dedicated laboratory and workshop technicians.

Academic environment

The interdisciplinary ethos of the School of Applied Sciences provides an ideal home for this research. Based on the university’s Moulsecoomb Campus, research within the school has a common aim to address key environmental, social and resource issues, and deliver translational research with local, regional and international benefits. Our staff expertise spans a range of disciplines, including archaeology, built environment, civil engineering, environmental science, human and physical geography, and geology.

We provide PhD students with opportunities to work across the spectrum of geology and earth sciences, including research which straddles traditional disciplinary boundaries into, for example, archaeology, ecology or engineering. We believe that this interdisciplinary focus provides our students with an appreciation of real-world problems, and ensures that they are highly employable.

PhD students take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities within the Schools. All postgraduate students working on ecology and environmental management topics are integrated into one or more of our research centres or research groups (see below). These provide you with opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.

We provide PhD students with opportunities to work across the spectrum of ecology and environmental management, including research which straddles traditional disciplinary boundaries into, for example, remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS). We believe that this interdisciplinary focus provides our students with an appreciation of real-world problems, and ensures that they are highly employable.

The 69成人网 Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the Schools’ various seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training.

Researchers within SET are engaged in work across a wide range of topic areas. We particularly welcome applications for Geology and earth science PhD research that aligns to current particular areas of specialism:

  • Applied geochemistry
  • Coastal neotectonics
  • Contaminated land remediation
  • Critical metal deposits
  • Environmental change in deep time
  • Environmental fate of metals
  • Hydrogeology
  • Igneous magmatism and petrology
  • Mineral deposit genesis
  • Sediment dynamics in fluvial, estuarine and coastal environments
  • Sedimentary records of ancient fluvial systems
  • Terrestrial geochemical sediments

More detail about each of these research themes and individual staff interests is provided under the following research centre and group pages:

  • Centre for Earth Observation Sciences

 

Some of our supervisors

Profile photo for Dr Heidi Burgess

For both MRes and PhD, I am particularly interested in supervising projects in the area of聽 intertidal, estuarine and riverine water / sediment interaction and climate. Examples of applications could include:

  • Quantifying the impact that different types of Nature Based Solutions have on Riverine Flood Management.
  • The impact that drainage systems have on the development of Managed Realignment sites and the colonisation by intertidal flora.
  • How mycelium develops in newly inundated intertidal wetlands.
  • Furthering the understanding into the processes of how terrestrial soil transforms into intertidal sediment when inundated by saline water.
  • The impact of Coastal Managed and Managed Realignment design has on fish habitats and how engineering could be used to increase habitat suitability, impacting positively on fish stocks. (see: - MR Fish Geomorphology (ICECM 2019) (brighton.ac.uk))
  • The impact of changing weather patterns on intertidal environments.
  • Projects related to the CHASM project , particularly the sediment and hydro elements.

Along with any project which brings together the following elements: Natural Flood Management, habitat creation, eco-system services, impact of sea-level rise and impact on health and wellbeing.

Profile photo for Prof David Nash

I am interested in supervising PhD and MRes students in the following areas: reconstructing historical climate variability and change; arid geomorphology; environmental change in southern Africa; silcrete provenancing in archaeology.

Profile photo for Prof Martin Smith

PhD projects in geochemistry and mineralogy specifically applied to: ore deposit genesis and mineral exploration, critical metals and the environmental impacts of mining; Hydrogeology and the behaviour of nutrient and heavy metals (rural and urban environments); environmental controls on material corrosion.

I contribute to the Centre for Earth Observation Science (in terms of mineral resources, petrology and environmental geochemistry) and the Centre for Aquatic Environments (in terms of hydrogeology and hydrochemistry) and am happy to supervise projects in both these areas as part of the MRes Geosciences and Mres Aquatic Environments. Specific projects at present could include:

Synthesis and characterisation of REE-bearing clays.

Breakdown of sulphide minerals in the environment.

Geology and genesis of REE and other mineral deposits.

Weathering processes in REE mineralised carbonatites.

Microbial corrosion of steel in marine environments.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of halogen-bearing silicates.

Unsaturated zone flow processes and groundwater chemistry.

Infiltration water quality from sustainable drainage systems.

 

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit  

Making an application

Once you have prepared a first-rate application you can apply to the University of 69成人网 through our . When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of 69成人网 staff. We strongly recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our to begin.

Fees and funding

 Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2024–25

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

MPhil/PhD
 Full-timePart-time

UK

£4,786 

£2,393

International (including EU)

£15,900

N/A

International students registered in the School of Humanities and Social Science or in the School of Business and Law

£14,500

N/A


PhD by Publication
Full-time Part-time
 N/A  £2,393

Contact 69成人网 Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of 69成人网 we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the 69成人网 Doctoral College page.

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

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