Student Training and PhD Opportunities
There are currently over 100 PhD students associated with our organisation and nearly half of these students work full time at our offices and labs in Cambridge. Students have full access to our state of the art research facilities and some have the opportunity to carry out research in the polar regions. We strongly encourage the pursuit of interdisciplinary projects, and there is the opportunity to work with teams at the forefront of global change and exploration science in both polar regions.
How our studentships are funded
From 2014-2024 our studentships were funded through NERC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs). In 2025, DTPs and CDTs were replaced by NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLAs) and Doctoral Focal Awards (DFAs).
We are delighted our partnerships continue into the new era of DLAs, namely ARIES, CREATES, GW4+ Doctoral Training Landscape Partnership (DLTP), Iapetus and IGNITE. We are also partners with the new DFA – Net Zero for Polar Science (NZPS).
How to apply
BAS projects or supervisor research areas within our DLA partnerships for 2027 will be advertised in the autumn. Each partner has a separate application process, which is often through the university at which the project is linked. Please read and follow the instructions carefully before applying to ensure your application can be fully considered. More information can be found on each of the DLAs’ websites.
Exceptionally, we may have opportunities funded through other sources. These projects will be advertised below as and when they are available. In all other cases, we are only able to accept students through our DLA partnerships.
If you would like to know more about applying for a PhD, here are some short videos on Preparing your application, Tips on meeting your potential supervisor and Preparing for a PhD interview and presentation
INSPIRE DTP also have some Top Tips and Student Testimonies for prospective students for more insight into PhDs
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – We are fully committed to the UKRI EDI principles and policies. We strive to recruit and support a diverse and inclusive cohort of students.
Eligibility: UK students will be eligible for a full NERC studentship. More information is available in the UKRI Training Grant Guide. A full studentship will include the cost of fees, stipend, and research funding allowance. DLAs may have funding for only a very limited number of international students.