PhD Studentship: Underpinning Knowledge to Test and Inform Bracken Control Strategies

Award summary

100% home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21, 805 (2026/27 UKRI rate) plus additional research funds

Overview

Bracken is one of the UK’s most persistent land-management challenges, threatening farming, forestry, water quality and biodiversity while becoming harder to control following the loss of the herbicide asulam. This PhD will investigate how bracken responds physiologically to cutting, rolling and an innovative new ‘crimping’ technique, combining field experiments with modern plant physiology and growth studies. Working across the James Hutton Institute and Newcastle University, the student will explore how mechanical damage affects frond regrowth, carbohydrate transport, underground rhizome reserves and wider biodiversity. The project will generate practical evidence to improve sustainable bracken control and support farmers, foresters and conservation managers across the UK and beyond.

Updated 10/11/26: The student will be based at the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee site, close to the main field site in the Sidlaw Hills.

It will be advantageous for the student to possess a clean driving licence due to the rural nature of field work.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 4 January 2027

Award duration: 3.5 years

Sponsor: Newcastle University

Supervisors

Prof Darren Evans

Dr Patricia Lopez- Calcagno

Alison Roberts (alison.roberts@hutton.ac.uk)

Robin Pakeman (robin.pakeman@hutton.ac.uk

Ali Karley (ali.karley@hutton.ac.uk

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (biological sciences, plant science, ecology or agricultural sciences) Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. 

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8020F
• Research Area: Ecosystems 
• Select ‘PhD Biology (full time) as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly into the application form  
• The studentship code SNES317 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’.  You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.  

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• Your CV

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details: Darren.Evans@newcastle.ac.uk

Advert information