Programme description
Research in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences covers three main research themes ; earth and planetary science, environment and society, and life on earth.
Environmental biology research seeks to understand how biological systems, comprising plants, animals and microorganisms, evolve, function and interact. We wish to understand how organisms respond and adapt to environmental changes that may be the result of natural perturbations or increasingly due to anthropogenic impacts that result in local stresses but also in global climate change.
Our research operates at the widest possible range of scales from the level of the genome through to ecosystems and the global environment, and using a wide range of computational, laboratory and field-based techniques from biomolecular approaches to population biology.
Research areas include conservation biology, biodiversity, animal behaviour, ecosystem interactions, evolutionary mechanisms, anthropogenic impacts to the environment, water pollution and bioremediation, ecotoxicology, palaeobiology, population genetics, plant and soil ecology, food security and sustainable agriculture.
Visit our research projects page to browse our range of currently available projects.Additional programme information
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.
We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.
All appointments are made on merit. The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Scholarships and bursaries
In the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.
Funding is also available at university and faculty level and can be viewed on our funding page . Alternatively, you can use our funding database to find scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.
We'd recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor before applying. They can advise what funding may be available to you, and ensure you meet nomination and application deadlines.