Posted by Ted Feldpausch
11 November 2026A fully funded PhD studentship is available at the University of Exeter, for entry in September 2027. Applications close on Thursday 7 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT.
Lead Supervisor
Dr Kees Jan van Groenigen, Department of Geography, University of Exeter
Additional Supervisors
Professor Ted Feldpausch, Department of Geography, University of Exeter
Professor Plinio Camargo, Centre for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo (CENA-USP), Brazil
Professor Ben Hur Marimon, Mato Grosso State University (UNEMAT), Brazil
Dr Oscar Kennedy-Blundell, Department of Geography, University of Exeter
Location: University of Exeter
Tropical forest soils are crucial to the global carbon cycle, yet increasing wildfire, land-use change and climate warming may cause large carbon emissions. This PhD will investigate (1) how soil respiration responds to post-wildfire conditions across Amazonia, and how soil properties mediate this response; (2) how pyrogenic carbon (PyC, charcoal) additions affect soil respiration dynamics in southern Amazonian soils; and (3) how the JULES land surface model can be improved using novel field and experimental data.
The doctoral researcher will shape the project, lead field experiments in southern Amazonia and advance modelling in collaboration with the UK Met Office. As part of the NERC-funded Amazon PyroCarbon Project, they will join project workshops, access extensive datasets (soil respiration, stable and radiocarbon isotopes, pyrogenic carbon, microclimate) and develop a new soil microcosm experiment.
Training will include tropical field methods, environmental sensors, experimental design and geospatial analysis in R, alongside advanced modelling with JULES. Co-supervisors in Brazil will provide field and logistical expertise, while the Met Office will offer world-class training in modelling and climate impact assessment. This UK-Brazil partnership offers interdisciplinary research to improve understanding of climate change and wildfire impacts on the world’s largest tropical forest.
For information about the research project please contact the lead supervisor: kj.vangroenigen@exeter.ac.uk
This project is one of a number in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter with five research organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
For eligible successful applicants, the studentship comprises:
A limited number of full studentships are available to international students, who will be charged only the home fee rate. Applicants may apply for only one PhD project across the GW4+ partnership.
Shortlisting runs from 9 January to 14 February 2027, and interviews are scheduled for 1 to 5 March 2027. General enquiries: pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk
Header photo: © Paulo Brando.