Biosciences (Restoration Ecology): Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Restoring Intertidal Systems Using Electronics

As part of the Restoration Ecology And Dynamics (READY) Doctoral Focal Award, we invite applications to the following PhD project: RISE: Restoring Intertidal Systems using Electronics.

Coastal wetlands – namely salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests – are hotspots for biodiversity, vital for human wellbeing1. Long-term losses in their extent due to land conversion and climate change has galvanised global action, through initiatives such as the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration2, to protect what remains and restore what was lost. Yet, restoration of coastal wetlands at scale is still hampered by: 

• Ability to detect areas along the intertidal for optimal restoration3.
• Knowledge on how positive species interactions can be harnessed for rapid restoration4.
• Availability of devices for long-term monitoring to confirm successful restoration5.

This exciting and timely PhD will develop and deploy a range of low-cost and open-source sensors to measure the biophysical properties necessary to predict coastal wetland restoration success. 

Successful candidate will first construct sensors using microcontrollers (e.g., Arduinos and peripheral sensors). These sensors will be designed to measure key determinants of restoration success (e.g., hydrodynamics and water quality) and include advanced features such as remote data transfer making them highly user-friendly. Calibration of these devices will be done in both flume and field settings. The sensors will then be deployed in alongside planted saltmarsh and seagrass across Wales, and potentially planted mangroves in India, Bangladesh, or Vietnam, to track intertidal transitions from unvegetated to vegetated states as metrics of restoration success. Depending on the candidate’s prior experience and research interests, there is also the possibility of developing a computational model to simulate hydro-sedimentary dynamics and morphology between restored patches to explore conditions favourable for restoration. Validated with data on vegetation cover and elevation change gathered from repeat drone surveys, this ground-breaking research will identify the factors key to ensuring optimal, rapid, and successful restoration. 

By working in partnership with Welsh Government, the outputs of this PhD could fast-track national initiatives to restore our coastal wetlands. 

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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