Biosciences (Restoration Ecology): Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Assessing and Enhancing Functional Biodiversity in Solar Parks and Ecological Restoration Projects

As part of the Restoration Ecology and Dynamics (READY) Doctoral Focal Award, we invite applications to the following PhD project: Assessing and enhancing functional biodiversity in solar parks and ecological restoration projects.

Solar parks are rapidly becoming a prominent feature in our landscapes, representing one of the most significant newly emerging changes in anthropogenic land-use. While their primary function is to generate renewable energy (at the cost of covering large areas with solar panels), there is growing recognition that solar parks also offer a unique opportunity to restore and enhance terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, critical gaps remain in understanding how the design, structure, and landscape context of solar parks influence ecological communities, and how habitat enrichment strategies can be tailored for best conservation success. 

This PhD project will combine empirical fieldwork with cutting-edge spatio-temporal ecological modelling of systems dynamics to investigate: 

• The occurrence and distribution of species within and around solar parks, identifying key “winners and losers” in terms of biodiversity.
• How species interactions, including plant-pollinator networks, are structured across the heterogeneous habitats of solar parks.
• The functional diversity of birds, small mammals, and arthropods within solar parks and adjacent grassland habitats.
• Landscape-scale modelling to understand the interplay between species occurrence, conservation priorities, and the cost-benefit of various restoration strategies in the context of the broader regional biodiversity landscape.

A key component of this project will be the integration of cost-benefit analysis to assess the effectiveness of different restoration efforts, exploring their potential to meet both local and regional biodiversity conservation targets. The student will use advanced modelling techniques to predict how different solar park configurations could balance biodiversity gains with the practicalities of land-use and energy production. 

Candidate Profile: 

We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a strong background in applied and quantitative ecology, environmental science, biology, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have an interest in ecological modelling, spatial analysis, and conservation planning, with experience in ecological fieldwork or quantitative data analysis being advantageous. Full training in field work techniques, ecological modelling and GIS will be provided by an interdisciplinary supervisor team.  

Funding duration – 4 years  

Funding Comment

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research and training expenses will also be available. 

An additional, three-month, funded placement with Welsh Government is included. 

International Students

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.   

The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability  

All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter. 

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