PhD Studentship: The role of Agri-tech in landscape-scale recovery projects: perspectives, practices and prospects.

DoS: Professor Chris Collins (christopher.collins@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: 07530 545773)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Claire Kelly (claire.kelly@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor: Dr Nathan Einbinder (nathan.einbinder@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a four-year PhD studentship and will start, 1st January 2026.

The project is funded from Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS) - University of Plymouth

Project Description

We are at a pivotal moment in agriculture, where regenerative farming is gaining significant attention in policy and practice. This transition is driven by the agri-tech sector, providing affordable and quick assessment tools that empower farmers with soil health data. This project aims to understand farmers' responses to these changes and the opportunities and challenges of adopting agri-tech in this transition.

The geographic focus is Southwest England, collaborating with strategic partners like the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts, who support farmers in making sustainable changes.

The successful candidate will explore the following questions:

• What are UK farmers' perspectives on agri-tech? What has been done, which technologies are used, and in which sectors or types of land holdings?
• What is happening with regenerative agriculture adoption, and how does it relate to farmers' openness to new practices?
• How does regenerative transition impact food production and security, and how can agri-tech support this transition with more informed and quicker management decisions?
• What are the 'push' vs. 'pull' factors affecting adoption? For example, are tenants expected to adopt certain technologies because of landowners' philosophies?
• How does adoption vary with farm type, scale, sector, and landholding status?
• How do new entrants without historical data for their land use technology differently compared to those with established practices?

This interdisciplinary project offers the chance to contribute to multiple fields. Students should be open to interdisciplinary methods and capable of thinking critically and creatively about complex issues.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification.  

Essential criteria:

• Experience in at one of the following soil evaluation, survey design, analytical spectroscopy. Training will be provided to cover remaining areas.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 4 years and includes Home or International tuition fees plus a stipend of £20,780 per annum 2025/26 rate (UKRI).

NB: The studentship is supported for four years including a 6 month ‘writing-up period. There is no further funding beyond the four-year period.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact:

Professor Chris Collins, christopher.collins@plymouth.ac.uk

How to Apply

To apply, please click the Apply button above.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• CV / résumé
• Personal Statement (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Degree certificates and transcripts (please provide interim transcript if you are still studying). 
• Contact information for two referees familiar with your academic work.

The closing date for applications on 1 July 2025.

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