PhD supervision is normally available in the following areas:
Environmental biology: we undertake research into the microbial ecology of a range of managed and natural environments. The ecology and diversity of plants and animals and their responses to human activity is also investigated at large, often landscape, scales, across many contrasting taxa. Advanced environmental modelling is used to integrate and predict long-term patterns.

Environmental change and management: we study long-term system evolution and change, and develop knowledge relating to the Earth's surface and the processes that form its structure and drive its function. Human behaviour and how it can impact on these systems and influence their sustainable management is also studied. You will be part of either the Quaternary Research Group or the Earth Surface Processes Research Group.

Geosciences: research is undertaken in the following areas - geomicrobiology; mineral science; molecular microbial ecology; soil biogeochemistry; bioremediation of polluted soils and waters; cycling of carbon and other elements in Earth history; carbon export across the land ocean interface; and climate change in ancient greenhouse environments.