Studentships

We have trained over 50 PhD students in projects ranging from forestry to understanding climate variability.

NCEO is recognised internationally for its high-quality research. We can host MPhil and PhD students either within a constituent research group or as a CASE partner.

UK students can apply for PhD places with NCEO through the following NERC Doctoral Training Partnerships, CENTA, MPE CDT, Oxford or Scenario.

The Scenario DTP is currently advertising studentships, including some with NCEO CASE funding: Information on Scenario studentships here. Centa is also advertising PhD studentships with Earth Observation topics. University of Leicester is currently advertising PhD studentships in Earth Observation: details here

International PhD students, and home and Masters students can apply for a PhD through the following Universities:

Imperial College
Kings College London
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Swansea University
University College London
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Oxford
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Surrey

Job Opportunities and Studentships

2 Available

Student	Title	Institution	Status	Title	Details
Rocio Barrio Guillo	Novel Remote Sensing Methods for Methane Emissions	LISEO and University of Leicester and NPL studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Lead supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, University of Leicester	In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Rocio Barrio Guillo In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Novel Remote Sensing Methods for Methane Emissions LISEO and University of Leicester and NPL studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Lead supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, University of Leicester
Nikoleta Kalaitzi	Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Urban Areas	ESA and University of Leicester Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, Leicester	In progress: October 2017 - September 2021	Nikoleta Kalaitzi In progress: October 2017 - September 2021	Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Urban Areas ESA and University of Leicester Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, Leicester
Evan Cornforth	Tree and forest health - integrating new remote sensing technologies	Industrial Strategy Studentship at University of Edinburgh, affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Prof Mathew Williams, University of Edinburgh; Dr M Perks, Forest Research.	In progress: September 2017 - August 2021	Evan Cornforth In progress: September 2017 - August 2021	Tree and forest health - integrating new remote sensing technologies Industrial Strategy Studentship at University of Edinburgh, affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Prof Mathew Williams, University of Edinburgh; Dr M Perks, Forest Research.
Maha Kaouri	Novel optimization methods for data assimilation	EPSRC-funded studentship at University of Reading - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Dr Amos Lawless and Prof Nancy Nichols, University of Reading. Prof Coralia Cartis, University of Oxford	In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Maha Kaouri In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Novel optimization methods for data assimilation EPSRC-funded studentship at University of Reading - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Dr Amos Lawless and Prof Nancy Nichols, University of Reading. Prof Coralia Cartis, University of Oxford
Mark de Jong	The influence of weather and climate on global wildfire	King's College Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Martin Wooster, King's College London	Commenced October 2013; Successful completion December 2018	Mark de Jong Commenced October 2013; Successful completion December 2018	The influence of weather and climate on global wildfire King's College Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Martin Wooster, King's College London
Peter Somkuti	Remote Sensing of Chlorophyll fluorescence with GOSAT	University of Leicester studentship, affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, Leicester	In progress: September 2014 - August 2018	Peter Somkuti In progress: September 2014 - August 2018	Remote Sensing of Chlorophyll fluorescence with GOSAT University of Leicester studentship, affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Hartmut Boesch, Leicester
Flavia Rodrigues Pinheiro	Exploring synchronisation ideas in nonlinear data assimilation	Science without Borders (Brazilian Government funded) Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Peter Jan van Leeuwen, University of Reading	Commenced September 2014; Successful completion August 2018	Flavia Rodrigues Pinheiro Commenced September 2014; Successful completion August 2018	Exploring synchronisation ideas in nonlinear data assimilation Science without Borders (Brazilian Government funded) Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor: Prof Peter Jan van Leeuwen, University of Reading
Thomas Hall	Testing historical reconstructions of global sea surface temperature using early satellite data	NERC HOSTACE project studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Prof Chris Merchant, University of Reading; Dr Elizabeth Kent, National Oceanography Centre; Dr Helen Brindley, Imperial College.	In progress: October 2015 - September 2019	Thomas Hall In progress: October 2015 - September 2019	Testing historical reconstructions of global sea surface temperature using early satellite data NERC HOSTACE project studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors: Prof Chris Merchant, University of Reading; Dr Elizabeth Kent, National Oceanography Centre; Dr Helen Brindley, Imperial College.
Amsalework Ejigu	Combining rainfall data and soil moisture data	Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation studentship at University of Reading - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor, University of Reading, Dr Tristan Quaife	In progress: September 2015 - August 2019	Amsalework Ejigu In progress: September 2015 - August 2019	Combining rainfall data and soil moisture data Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation studentship at University of Reading - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisor, University of Reading, Dr Tristan Quaife
Matt Hethcoat	Measuring tropical forest degradation and its consequences using satellite data	Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors, University of Sheffield: Prof Shaun Quegan, Dr D Edwards, Dr R Bryant, Dr Jose Carreiras	In progress: October 2015 - September 2019	Matt Hethcoat In progress: October 2015 - September 2019	Measuring tropical forest degradation and its consequences using satellite data Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures Studentship - affiliated to NCEO. Supervisors, University of Sheffield: Prof Shaun Quegan, Dr D Edwards, Dr R Bryant, Dr Jose Carreiras
Michael Cartwright	Understanding the global sources and sinks of atmospheric carbonyl sulphide (OCS) in order to provide insights into carbon cycle processes	Leicester Institute of Earth Observation (LISEO) funding. University of Leicester Lead Supervisor Dr Jeremy Harrison; NCEO CASE Supervisor Prof Martyn Chipperfield University of Leeds	In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Michael Cartwright In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Understanding the global sources and sinks of atmospheric carbonyl sulphide (OCS) in order to provide insights into carbon cycle processes Leicester Institute of Earth Observation (LISEO) funding. University of Leicester Lead Supervisor Dr Jeremy Harrison; NCEO CASE Supervisor Prof Martyn Chipperfield University of Leeds
Kelvin Choi	Building a long-term record of the global solar energy resource from satellite observations	Grantham Institute Studentship with NCEO CASE Funding. Lead Supervisor Imperial College, Dr Helen Brindley. NCEO CASE Supervisors Dr Caroline Poulsen and Dr Matt Christensen, RAL-Space	In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Kelvin Choi In progress: January 2018 - December 2021	Building a long-term record of the global solar energy resource from satellite observations Grantham Institute Studentship with NCEO CASE Funding. Lead Supervisor Imperial College, Dr Helen Brindley. NCEO CASE Supervisors Dr Caroline Poulsen and Dr Matt Christensen, RAL-Space
Felix Trotter	Carbon cycling in African and Australian woodlands - interactions between climate, biodiversity and fire	Edinburgh Earth & Environment (E3) DTP studentship with NCEO CASE funding. University of Edinburgh Lead Supervisor: Prof Mathew Williams; NCEO CASE Supervisor at UCL Dr Jose Gomes-Dans	In progress October 2016 - September 2020	Felix Trotter In progress October 2016 - September 2020	Carbon cycling in African and Australian woodlands - interactions between climate, biodiversity and fire Edinburgh Earth & Environment (E3) DTP studentship with NCEO CASE funding. University of Edinburgh Lead Supervisor: Prof Mathew Williams; NCEO CASE Supervisor at UCL Dr Jose Gomes-Dans
Lea Oljaca	Probabilistic and uncertainty information in suboptimal filters applied to dissipative PDEs	Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Jochen Broeker, Dr Tobias Kuna, Prof Peter Jan van Leeuwen	In progress October 2016 - September 2020	Lea Oljaca In progress October 2016 - September 2020	Probabilistic and uncertainty information in suboptimal filters applied to dissipative PDEs Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Jochen Broeker, Dr Tobias Kuna, Prof Peter Jan van Leeuwen
Jemima Tabaert	On the treatment of correlated observation errors in data assimilation	Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Sarah Dance, Dr Jo Waller, Dr Amos Lawless, Prof Nancy Nichols. Met Office Supervisors: Dr Sue Ballard, D Simonin.	In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Jemima Tabaert In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	On the treatment of correlated observation errors in data assimilation Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Sarah Dance, Dr Jo Waller, Dr Amos Lawless, Prof Nancy Nichols. Met Office Supervisors: Dr Sue Ballard, D Simonin.
Joshua Prettyman	Tipping point analysis of geophysical variables	Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Tobias Kuna, Prof Chris Merchant; NPL Supervisor: Valerie Livina	In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Joshua Prettyman In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Tipping point analysis of geophysical variables Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Tobias Kuna, Prof Chris Merchant; NPL Supervisor: Valerie Livina
Carlo Cafaro	The information gain that high resolution models bring to probabilistic weather forecasts	Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Tom Frame, Prof John Methven, Dr Jochen Broecker	Commenced September 2014; successful completion March 2019	Carlo Cafaro Commenced September 2014; successful completion March 2019	The information gain that high resolution models bring to probabilistic weather forecasts Joint Maths for Planet Earth CDT and NCEO studentship. University of Reading Supervisors: Dr Tom Frame, Prof John Methven, Dr Jochen Broecker
Petros Kalogeros	Ice microphysics from multi-frequency suites of active and passive remote sensing instruments: satellite product and numerical model validation	University of Leicester: Supervisor Dr Alessandro Battaglia	In progress February 2018 - January 2022	Petros Kalogeros In progress February 2018 - January 2022	Ice microphysics from multi-frequency suites of active and passive remote sensing instruments: satellite product and numerical model validation University of Leicester: Supervisor Dr Alessandro Battaglia
Mary Langsdale	Temperature emissivity from Hyperspectral IR remote sensing	King's College London: Lead Supervisor, Prof Martin Wooster; Secondary Supervisor: Dr Jeremy Harrison, University of Leicester	In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Mary Langsdale In progress: October 2016 - September 2020	Temperature emissivity from Hyperspectral IR remote sensing King's College London: Lead Supervisor, Prof Martin Wooster; Secondary Supervisor: Dr Jeremy Harrison, University of Leicester
James Brennan	Burned Area model intercomparison project.	UCL - supervisor: Professor Philip Lewis; secondary supervisor: Dr Mat Disney.	In progress: 01.10.2015-31.03.2019	James Brennan In progress: 01.10.2015-31.03.2019	Burned Area model intercomparison project. UCL - supervisor: Professor Philip Lewis; secondary supervisor: Dr Mat Disney.
David Sursham	Advancing the understanding of crucial marine ecosystem processes.	Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Reading - supervisors: Dr Stefano Ciavatta and Dr Torres (PML), Professor Peter Jan van Leeuwen (Reading)	Commenced September 2014; successful completion December 2018	David Sursham Commenced September 2014; successful completion December 2018	Advancing the understanding of crucial marine ecosystem processes. Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Reading - supervisors: Dr Stefano Ciavatta and Dr Torres (PML), Professor Peter Jan van Leeuwen (Reading)
Edward Malina	Global isotopic ratios of fugitive gas emissions from natural and anthropogenic sources from ACE.	UCL - supervisor: Professor Jan-Peter Muller	Completed in 2017	Edward Malina Completed in 2017	Global isotopic ratios of fugitive gas emissions from natural and anthropogenic sources from ACE. UCL - supervisor: Professor Jan-Peter Muller
Nina Raoult	Constraining future land carbon cycle feedbacks with in-situ and Earth observations using ADJULES.	University of Exeter - supervisors: Professor Peter Cox, Dr Tim Jupp	Completed in 2017	Nina Raoult Completed in 2017	Constraining future land carbon cycle feedbacks with in-situ and Earth observations using ADJULES. University of Exeter - supervisors: Professor Peter Cox, Dr Tim Jupp
Timothy Keslake	4-D Variational Assimilation of Short-Lived Gases and Methane in the ECMWF MACC System.	University of Leeds - supervisors: Professor Martyn Chipperfield, Dr Brian Kerridge (RAL)	Completed in 2017	Timothy Keslake Completed in 2017	4-D Variational Assimilation of Short-Lived Gases and Methane in the ECMWF MACC System. University of Leeds - supervisors: Professor Martyn Chipperfield, Dr Brian Kerridge (RAL)
Robyn Butler	Oceanic fluxes of very short-lived halocarbons and their subsequent atmospheric chemistry and transport.	University of Edinburgh - supervisor: Professor Paul Palmer	Completed in 2016	Robyn Butler Completed in 2016	Oceanic fluxes of very short-lived halocarbons and their subsequent atmospheric chemistry and transport. University of Edinburgh - supervisor: Professor Paul Palmer
Joe McNorton	Using top-down emission estimates of greenhouse gas emissions to aid the development of UK land surface modelling.	University of Leeds - supervisors: Professor Martyn Chipperfield and Professor E. Gloor.	Completed in 2016	Joe McNorton Completed in 2016	Using top-down emission estimates of greenhouse gas emissions to aid the development of UK land surface modelling. University of Leeds - supervisors: Professor Martyn Chipperfield and Professor E. Gloor.
Jelizaveta Ross	Investigating the variability of the ocean biological carbon pump by means of novel observation-based 3D biogeochemical fields.	Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Giorgio Dall’Olmo) and University of Reading (Kieth Haines)	Commenced May 2014; successful completion July 2018	Jelizaveta Ross Commenced May 2014; successful completion July 2018	Investigating the variability of the ocean biological carbon pump by means of novel observation-based 3D biogeochemical fields. Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Giorgio Dall’Olmo) and University of Reading (Kieth Haines)