ARIES: Advanced Research and Innovation in the Environmental Sciences
ARIES (Advanced Research and Innovation in the Environmental Sciences) is a Doctoral Landscape Award with the mission “to train postgraduate research students with excellent potential from across society, equipping them with the necessary skills to become 21st Century Scientists: leaders in the science and sustainable business of the natural environment.”
ARIES is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is an extensive world-class partnership integrating 59 partners from universities, research institutes and end users. ARIES is built upon scientific excellence within five overlapping research themes:
- Ecology and biodiversity
- Marine, atmospheric and climate science
- Geosciences, resources and environmental Risk
- Environmental genomics and microbiology
- Agri-environments and water
2026 studentships
| Project title | Academic staff |
| Biotechnology in the ‘ome: reducing pollution through bio-based wastewater management. CASE project with Challs International |
Dr Nick Aldred (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Corinne Whitby (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Philippe Laissue (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex) Dr Yasamin Mehrabadi (Challs International) |
| The bigger picture: integrating plankton imaging techniques to explore ecosystem structure and function | Elaine Fileman (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Marine Ecology & Society group), Dr Cecilia Liszka (Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey), Dr Eoin O’Gorman (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Professor Pennie Lindeque (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Marine Ecology & Society group) |
| Future ecological diversity and ‘blue carbon potential’ within saltmarshes under a changing climate, CASE project with Cefas | Dr Natalie Hicks (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Amanda Cavanagh (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Professor David Paterson (Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews), Professor Corinne Whitby (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex) |
| Augmenting Urban Tree Canopies with Mistletoe: Enhancing Air Quality, Biodiversity, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate | Dr Pallavi Singh (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Nick Aldred (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Amanda Cavanagh (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Professor Corinne Whitby (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex) |
| Enhancing Connectivity and Natural Capital in Seascape-scale Coastal Restoration | Professor Graham Underwood (Life Sciences, University of Essex), Professor Thomas Cameron (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Stephen Watson (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Ms Anna Cucknell (Zoological Society of London) |
| Future Rivers: Environmental trajectories and biodiversity responses in 21st century freshwater systems, CASE project with Defra | Dr Martin Wilkes (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex), Dr Jennifer Dodd (Edinburgh Napier University), Dr James White (University of Birmingham), Dr Eoin O'Gorman (School of Life Sciences, University of Essex) |
Eligibility
ARIES studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which applies the eligibility criteria laid down by its parent body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). These are outlined in their Terms and Conditions of Training Grants document, and given in more detail in their Training Grant Guide (Annex 1), both of which can be found on the UKRI website.
All UKRI-funded PhD students (UK, EU, International) will be eligible for the full award – both the stipend to support living costs, and fees at research organisations UK rate. UKRI funding will not cover international fees set by universities, but all ARIES partners have agreed to fund the top-up from UK to international fees. ARIES funding will not cover costs associated with visa or health surcharges, or additional costs associated with entry to, and living in the UK. UKRI will normally limit the proportion of international students appointed each year through individual doctoral training programmes to 30% of the total.
In case of uncertainty, please email ariesapp@essex.ac.uk.
How to apply
For October 2026 entry, the deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 7 January 2026. Once you have reviewed the projects above, send a covering letter and CV to ariesapp@essex.ac.uk, identifying the project that you’re interested in.
Training
ARIES students benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences.
As well as ARIES opportunities, you can also benefit from Proficio, our University's unique professional development scheme for doctoral students. You receive up to £2,500 during your studies to fund specialist training across a range of areas from research skills and managing a PhD, to presenting work and getting published.
ARIES also offers advanced training courses to other PhD students at partner universities. Students don't need to be in receipt of a studentship to participate.
