PhD studentship – The Peter Carpenter African Climate Scholarship ; University of Sussex, United Kingdom

The University of Sussex invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship for research into African climate science (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/geography/research/climateresearch/petercarpenter_scholarship )

The Peter Carpenter African Climate Scholarship is open to citizens of African countries only. The start date is September 2024 or January 2025. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees and provides a stipend for living expenses of £18,600 (approximately equivalent to that offered by the UK Research Councils for PhD studentships).

We invite applications from those with an exceptional academic record including a FIRST-CLASS degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental science, Meteorology, Physics, Geosciences, Geography) and preferably a Masters degree. (Candidates with the equivalent of an upper second-class degree and relevant professional experience/Masters degree may be considered).

The PhD programme

The PhD project will be hosted within the Climate Science and Society Research (CSSR) group in the department of Geography, where there is a vibrant research programme into African climate, impacts and resilience (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/geography/research/climateresearch ). Our aims are to better understand the nature, causes, impacts and consequences of climate variability/change and their representation in models. This can support improved climate information to inform risk management and climate resilient development, with an emphasis on water, agriculture and health.

The PhD project can focus on any aspect of African climate science, to be decided taking account of candidates’ interests, experience and career goals. However, the research focus can be aligned with two major research projects on African climate resilience in which the Sussex team are currently involved, under the CLARE programme (Climate Adaptation and Resilience,  https://clareprogramme.org/  funded by UK aid and Canada’s IDRC.

(1) CLimate Adaptation and Resilience In Tropical drYlands (CLARITY), in which the focus in on climate risk analysis for water resource development https://clareprogramme.org/project/climate-adaptation-and-resilience-in-tropical-drylands-clarity/

(2) Strengthening pastoralist livelihoods through effective anticipatory action (PASSAGE) in which the focus is on improving Impact-based Forecasts https://clareprogramme.org/project/strengthening-pastoralist-livelihoods-through-effective-anticipatory-action-passage/ .

These projects will provide a stimulating and supportive context for the PhD research with excellent networking opportunities and real-world risk management relevance. Further, the CSSR group is part of a wider cross-campus Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP, https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/sussex-sustainability-research-programme/  ) to help achieve the global sustainability goals for humanity and the environment, in which climate resilience is a key dimension. As such, our doctoral students are part of a vibrant hub of climate and wider sustainability research and teaching.

Contacts

For further information email globalstudiespg@sussex.ac.uk

Or informally email m.todd@sussex.ac.uk

How to apply

Candidates should (i) mail their CV to m.todd@sussex.ac.uk  in the first instance (ii) complete the standard on-line PhD application via the ‘Apply’ button above, and clearly stating on the application form that they are applying for the Peter Carpenter African Climate Scholarship, and leaving the research proposal section blank.

Applications should be submitted by April 15th  2024