PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B08 Less emission, more aerosol How elevated CO2 changes organic gas emissions from forests and their capacity to form particles

Overview

This PhD studentship investigates how elevated carbon dioxide changes organic gas emissions from forests and their capacity to form particles. Forests release volatile organic compounds that oxidize in the atmosphere to create secondary organic aerosol, which influences clouds and climate. Because rising atmospheric carbon dioxide alters both the quantity and composition of tree emissions, this project tests how these changes affect aerosol-forming potential using the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research free air carbon dioxide enrichment facility.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 at the UK bachelor of science level, a pass at the UK master of science level, or an equivalent qualification. International students are eligible, as they can comprise up to 30 percent of the cohort, but they must meet the university's international student entry requirements, including English language proficiency. Funding does not cover any additional costs related to moving to or residing in the United Kingdom.

What you get

The studentship is offered through the CENTA3 Doctoral Landscape Award and is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. The financial support covers an annual stipend, tuition fees at the home-fee level, and a Research Training Support Grant.

Requirements

The doctoral researcher will measure volatile organic compound mixtures emitted under current and elevated carbon dioxide conditions, recreate those mixtures in the laboratory to measure aerosol formation, and use a chemical box model to determine which compounds cause any differences. Part of the laboratory work will be conducted at the University of Eastern Finland with Dr Angela Buchholz at the ACE-Forest Centre of Excellence. International applicants are required to meet the university's entry standards, which include English language proficiency.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is January 6, 2027.