PhD within Horizon Europe Doctoral Network “BEYOND”: Modelling the potential of agro-ecological agricultural systems to deliver water quality and multiple ecosystem benefits under global change

PhD position within Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network “BEYOND”

This fully funded PhD position is available under the recently launched Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks (DN) project “BEYOND” Beyond the current: Improving European flowing waters in an era of global change. BEYOND will train the next generation of water professionals who will deliver scientific and technological innovation across disciplines, institutions and countries needed to solve European water quality problems in an era of global change.

Integrated agroecological management is seen as a potential solution to degrading agroecosystems. However, its impacts on water quality are still poorly understood, despite agroecology focus on whole-system approaches that reduce reliance on external inputs and could potentially reduce water pollution. The aim of this project is to examine whether and how systemic change in agronomic practices and spatial targeting of measures could scale-up to allow the protection of water quality under future climate and socio-economic scenarios. Specifically, the PhD will:

1. Investigate the potential of agro-ecological agricultural practices to mitigate diffuse pollution from nutrients, sediments and other contaminants to deliver multiple ecosystem services (clean water availability, carbon stewardship, biodiversity conservation)
2. Investigate the potential of systemic change in agronomic practice to deliver resilient water quality and water resources under future hydrological extremes
3. Quantify the scale and targeting of interventions required for mitigation and adaptation to these impacts across a climatic gradient

This PhD will provide excellent multi-disciplinary training in catchment science (hydrology, water quality, soil science, agronomy) and system-based modelling, with an opportunity for limited field data collection and engagement with stakeholders in the farming sector.

The Doctoral Candidate will have an opportunity to take part in short visits and secondments to the world leading Agricultural Research Program in Ireland, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and CARBERY food producer in Ireland for additional training and knowledge exchange.  

The project will be supervised by by Dr Miriam Glendell and Dr Cathy Hawes from the James Hutton Institute and Prof. Phil Jordan at the University of Ulster, UK. The student will have access to additional support from Dr Nicholas Schurch from Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Dr Leah-Jackson Blake at NIVA in Norway and Dr Per-Erik Mellander from Teagasc in Ireland. You will be based in the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences Department (https://www.hutton.ac.uk/department/environmental-and-biochemical-sciences/) located in Aberdeen, Scotland.

More information on BEYOND project and PhD selection process can be found at the following websites: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169293 and https://www.slu.se/beyond

Qualifications

The candidates must have an MSc (or an equivalent) degree in environmental sciences, soil science, agronomy, hydrology, hydrochemistry, mathematics and statistics or a related discipline. A solid background in statistical data analysis is an important asset.

• Have potential for conducting outstanding research, as demonstrated by scientific accomplishments (in particular quality of MSc thesis, but also e.g. code repositories, conference presentations, outreach activities, or publications).
• Be interested in working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.
• Have excellent communication skills in English, verbally as well as in scientific writing.
• Be willing to undertake international travel for training and research activities of BEYOND and project-specific short-visits and secondments at partner institutions.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must also meet the following criteria:

1) be of any nationality, but must not have resided or carried out main activity in UK for more than 12 months in the last 36 months;

2) have not yet been awarded a PhD degree.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, nationality, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. The work language will be English.

Selection process

The applications must be received by 15th of March 2025 including the following documents (all strictly in PDF format):

• Curriculum vitae,
• Master [alternatively, the expected graduation date of Master degree] and Bachelor diplomas (in a single PDF file),
• Master and Bachelor grades’ transcripts (in a single PDF file),
• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max 1 A4 page),
• A research statement describing how your expertise and previous experience align with the PhD project objectives (200 words),
• The names of at least two reference persons (provide names and contact details) who can provide information on your research performance.

The applicants must fill the BEYOND application form following the URL below https://forms.gle/rKrwomLcZr7Dwm9L9

The applicants are encouraged to apply for up to three different BEYOND PhD positions but please note that you have to apply for them separately via relevant institutional websites. Please check the details at https://www.slu.se/beyond

Salary

The monthly gross salary consists of a country-dependent living allowance, a mobility allowance (£522 GBP), and, if applicable, a family allowance (£431 GBP). Long-term leave allowance and special needs allowance are offered if applicable.  In in the UK monthly living allowance is £3,038 GBP.

Timeline

The expected start date for this position is between 1st of July and 30th of September 2025.

Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted within 1 month from the closing date.