Environmental Science and Geoscience Postgraduate Research
Our postgraduate degrees give you chance to engage in cutting-edge research. We look at energy and natural resources and biogeochemistry and the environment.
Research strengths
Our research addresses many resources needed to sustain a growing global population. We look to make sure they have the least impact on the environment and sustainability.
We have expertise in analysis of:
- fossil fuels
- geothermal energy
- soil processes
- carbon capture
- organic pollutants
In the oceans, we investigate fundamental processes of gas exchange with the atmosphere. This controls global warming, in the context of global ocean circulation.
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We are developing nanoparticles called ‘SmartGates’. They deliver nutrients to microorganisms at the oil spill surface. These stimulate the microbes to clean up the oil more effectively.
Choose a course
Explore areas in environmental science and geoscience with a PhD or MPhil degree.
Choose from our MPhil and PhD courses below and contribute to impactful research in your chosen field.
Environmental Science (Applied and Environmental Biology) MPhil, PhD
Biotechnology (Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) MPhil, PhD
How to apply for your PhD
We accept PhD and MPhil applications at any time during the year.
Either: Browse our pre-designed projects (go to step 6)
Or: Propose your own project - suggested topics are available on each subject page.
Step 1: Find and contact prospective supervisors.
Step 2: Write a research proposal.
Step 3: Check entry requirements and fees on our course pages. Potential funding options are also available.
Step 4: Apply via our online portal. You'll need to include the programme code, supervisor name and project or funding details if applicable
Step 5: Receive your offer – this will normally be a conditional offer.
Step 6: Accept your offer, send in any documents to meet the conditions and register!
You can only submit one application but this can be linked to multiple projects and studentships. You must specify this on the application form or in your cover letter.
If you’ve already submitted your application, you can link it to another project or studentship by sending an email to pgadmissions@ncl.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you need help with your application, you can email our team.
Email: snes.pgr.support@ncl.ac.uk
Find a supervisor
Before applying for a research degree, you’ll need to find a supervisor who aligns with your research interests.
To find a supervisor, we suggest that you:
- explore our research in agriculture and animal science and learn more about our expertise
- browse our list of academic agriculture staff, and learn about their research interests, past publications, and ongoing projects
- choose a PhD research project from the below list
Dr Geoffrey Abbott
Supervisor: Dr Geoff Abbott
Projects:
- The analysis, identification and fate of microplastics from vehicular tyre wear.
The organic biogeochemistry of Arctic ocean sediments.
Molecular characterization of organic carbon in northern peatlands.
Key words: microplastics, soil, peatlands, Arctic, mass spectrometry
Dr Sanem Acikalin
Supervisor: Dr Sanem Acikalin
Projects:
- Miocene paloeclimatic conditions and impact on lake systems of Aegean Sea area
- Organic carbon burial by extreme flooding events - case study from Bute Inlet, Canada
- Impact of reinjected hot brine to pore systems at subsurface, following a geothermal energy production
Key words: Dedimentology, paleoclimatology, organic carbon transport, geothermal energy systems
Dr Shannon Flynn
Supervisor: Dr Shannon Flynn
Projects:
- Weathering pathways for Li brine formation
- Silicate mineral weathering and bioessential nutrient release
- Proteomic approaches to determining elemental bioavailability
Key words: sedimentology, paleoclimatology, organic carbon transport, geothermal energy systems
Dr Mark Ireland
Supervisor: Dr Mark Ireland
Projects:
- sedimentary basin structure and evolution
- seismic interpretation
- geothermal energy
- underground energy storage
- CCS
Key words: Seismic interpretation, basin analysis, geothermal, energy storage
Dr Cees van der Land
Supervisor: Dr Cees van der Land
Projects:
- Carbonate reef geology
- Carbonate geothermal systems
- Mixed carbonate-evaporite systems
- Microbe-mineral interactions
- Pore network evolution in carbonates
Key words: Geology, hydrogen, geothermal, carbon storage, geomicrobiology