PhD/MPhil Ecology and Evolution

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.

Understanding the ecology and evolution of life on Earth is a fundamental research challenge and of central importance for most areas of the environmental sciences. For example, our researchers use ecology and evolutionary biology techniques for conservation biology and informing wildlife management.

We use ecological approaches to study organisms ranging from the smallest microorganisms to the largest plants and animals. In particular, we research how plants grow, how the environment affects plants, and how they interact with the soil ecosystems. Our research is contributing to growing understanding of the impacts of human activities on natural communities and on how we can improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Furthermore, we study the ecology of microbial communities, which is critical the function of all ecosystems.

The principles of evolutionary biology allow us to understand biodiversity, disease outbreaks and competition of invasive species. Research in evolutionary biology employs a range of theoretical, computational and experimental approaches to understand and predict the structure and behaviour of biological systems.

A particular focus is on metabolic responses to environmental change, the role of genetic mutations in microevolutionary processes and the impacts of natural and sexual selection on the morphology and behaviour of organisms. Our research involves evolutionary genetics and genomics, phyologenetics, molecular and genome evolution, organismal and behavioural evolution, and population genetics.

Visit our research projects page to browse our range of currently available projects.

Visit our Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research events and opportunities page to find out about upcoming open days and webinars .

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Before applying we recommend that you read the 'Advice to Applicants' section.

Before you start your application, you should have:

• Identified the specific research project, CDT or dual-award you'd like to apply for or, if you already have funding, determined your own research project and title and discussed this with a supervisor.
• Contacted the project supervisor and spoken to them about your suitability for the project.
• Browsed funding you are eligible for and discussed this with your supervisor, if you don't already have your own funding.

You’ll also need to make sure you have the following:

• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.
• English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.
• Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

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.

Understanding the ecology and evolution of life on Earth is a fundamental research challenge and of central importance for most areas of the environmental sciences. For example, our researchers use ecology and evolutionary biology techniques for conservation biology and informing wildlife management.

We use ecological approaches to study organisms ranging from the smallest microorganisms to the largest plants and animals. In particular, we research how plants grow, how the environment affects plants, and how they interact with the soil ecosystems. Our research is contributing to growing understanding of the impacts of human activities on natural communities and on how we can improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Furthermore, we study the ecology of microbial communities, which is critical the function of all ecosystems.

The principles of evolutionary biology allow us to understand biodiversity, disease outbreaks and competition of invasive species. Research in evolutionary biology employs a range of theoretical, computational and experimental approaches to understand and predict the structure and behaviour of biological systems.

A particular focus is on metabolic responses to environmental change, the role of genetic mutations in microevolutionary processes and the impacts of natural and sexual selection on the morphology and behaviour of organisms. Our research involves evolutionary genetics and genomics, phyologenetics, molecular and genome evolution, organismal and behavioural evolution, and population genetics.

Visit our research projects page to browse our range of currently available projects.