Job Details

The project will investigate how compound hazards affect the growth and management of vegetation at heritage sites across England using numerical modelling and case studies, with results aiding the development of practical guidelines for managing vegetation at ruined sites. This project will be jointly supervised by Prof. Heather Viles (University of Oxford), Dr Paul Lankester (English Heritage), and Dr Jenny Richards (University of Oxford) and the student will be expected to spend time at both the University of Oxford and English Heritage, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK.

Compound climate hazards (such as the combination of temperature and rainfall changes and extreme events) pose serious risks for England’s built heritage. In particular, compound hazards will affect vegetation growth – some species of which are known to cause deterioration, while other forms of vegetation provide protection. This project aims to understand how such compound hazards will affect the growth and management of vegetation across the National Heritage Collection, with a focus on ruined sites. The project will combine a numerical modelling approach (to provide a generalised picture of risk across the whole Collection) with a case study-based approach (to provide a more detailed assessment of the how compound hazards will affect the nature and impacts of vegetation at varied sites across a range of locations).

Details of Award

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 48 months (4 years) or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 8 years.

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home fee. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2024/2025 is £5,006. Students with an 'overseas' fee status are welcome to apply and will be required to reside in the UK until completion of the PhD.

The award pays an annual stipend for all students, both home and international students. This stipend is tax free, and is the equivalent of an annual salary, enabling the student to pay living costs. The UKRI Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2024/2025 is £20,780 plus an allowance of £1000/year as the partner organisation (English Heritage) is based in London, but the University is outside of London. There is also a CDP maintenance payment of £600 per year.

The successful candidate is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of HBMCE worth up to £1000 per year for 4 years.

• The studentship can be studied either full or part-time.
• We encourage applications from a diverse range of people, from different backgrounds and career stages.
• Students should have a Masters Degree in a relevant subject or can demonstrate relevant equivalent experience.

The studentship is open to both home and international applicants.

• This studentship is open to both Home and International applicants.
• Further guidance can be found here based on revisions to Training Grant Terms and Conditions for projects starting in October 2025 - Policy statement: review of the training grant conditions – UKRI
• International students are eligible to receive the full award for maintenance as are home students and the department will cover any difference in fees between home and overseas rates.
• We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from people of Global Majority backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.
• Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification in a relevant subject: Geography, Environmental Science, Heritage Science, Data Science, Archaeology, Climate Science or Ecology or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting such as Geography, Heritage Science, Data Science, Archaeology, Climate Science or Ecology.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the natural and historic environment and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate an aptitude for using computational methods.
• Applicants selected for interview will be given clear guidance around what to expect at interview, with interview questions shared in advance.
• Applicants can request reasonable adjustments if required (e.g. Opportunities to: speak with project supervisors at HEI and CDP Award Holder about the project and the process, speak with contacts within the HEI and/or CDP Award Holder regarding institutional support systems (e.g. neurodiversity, racial diversity and LGBTQIA+ networks, mental health support, support for carers), visit the relevant building and room prior to interview, as well as on-site guidance (demonstrating accessible routes and/or familiarity with building layouts for example), and speak with active CDP students to ask questions regarding student experience as part of the CDP scheme.
• As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both the University and English Heritage.