Hidden acid sulfate soils: predicting UK susceptibility for safer restoration and land management Fully-funded Phd studentship

Applications are invited for a funded PhD studentship through the NERC-funded CENTA Doctoral Training Partnership and Cranfield University. The award will cover UK tuition fees, provide a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate and include research and training support.

The project will investigate acid sulfate soils: sulfide-rich soils that can generate sulfuric acid and release metals following drainage, excavation, drought or rewetting. Combining soil classification, LandIS legacy data, field sampling and predictive mapping, the researcher will identify where these soils occur and determine how land management history influences acidification hazards across agricultural peatlands and coastal wetland restoration sites.

Acid sulfate soils contain sulfide minerals that generate sulfuric acid when exposed to oxygen through drainage, excavation or drought. Rewetting can then mobilise stored acidity and metals into surrounding waters. These processes can damage aquatic ecosystems, reduce agricultural productivity and complicate wetland restoration. Climate-driven drought, changing water management and expanding restoration programmes make it increasingly important to identify these soils before disturbance and understand how they may respond.

This PhD aims to establish how reliably existing soil information can predict acid sulfate soil occurrence and whether land management history improves predictions of acidification responses. The researcher will combine soil classifications, historical profile descriptions and information from Cranfield's LandIS Soils Data Portal with geological, terrain and hydrological data, archived samples and fresh, depth-resolved field observations. Statistical and machine learning models will be developed and independently validated across contrasting UK landscapes. Agricultural and coastal restoration case studies will then test whether drainage, disturbance and rewetting obscure, preserve or reveal diagnostic soil signals.

The project will be based at Cranfield University, which has extensive expertise in soil science, environmental data and predictive soil mapping and curates the LandIS national soil information resource. UKCEH will provide co-supervision, access to established Lowland Peat research sites, including Pymoor, and relevant soil profile, hydrological and management information. GTK in Finland will act as the formal CASE partner.

The research will deliver an independently tested predictive mapping framework, evidence showing where and why existing classifications succeed or fail, and improved understanding of how management history influences acid sulfate soil hazards. These outputs will be translated into practical guidance, reproducible workflows and mapping resources to support soil investigation, agricultural water management, environmental regulation and wetland restoration.

The project offers an unusual combination of national soil datasets, field and laboratory research, spatial modelling and direct engagement with practitioners. A planned three-month placement with GTK will develop specialist expertise in acid sulfate soil identification and predictive mapping. The researcher will also benefit from UKCEH research sites and datasets, specialist engagement with Green Shores and other land management and restoration stakeholders. Opportunities are planned to present findings at UK and international conferences, including BSSS Annual Conference.

The researcher will gain advanced skills in soil description and classification, diagnostic sampling, soil biogeochemistry, statistical and machine learning modelling and reproducible research. They will also develop transferable skills in project planning, scientific writing, interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder engagement and communicating evidence to policy and practitioner audiences. This combination will prepare the graduate for careers in environmental research, consultancy, government, land management, geospatial analysis and natural resource policy.

Entry Requirements: Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit applicants from backgrounds including soil science, environmental science, geography, geology, earth science, ecology, hydrology, or related subjects. We welcome candidates interested in combining field and laboratory investigation with environmental data, GIS and predictive modelling. Applicants should be curious, willing to work across disciplines and comfortable developing both practical and quantitative skills. Previous experience in soil classification, acid sulfate soils, programming or spatial modelling is welcome but not essential, as specialist training will be provided. Applicants should also be willing to undertake fieldwork and an international placement.

Funding: This studentship is sponsored by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Cranfield University through the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA3). It provides a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (of up to £21,805) plus Home-rate tuition fees for 3.5 years. The studentship is open to both Home and international applicants; however, it only covers tuition fees at the Home fee rate. International applicants are responsible for covering the difference between Home and international tuition fee rates from another source.

Supervisors: 1st Supervisor: Dr Dan Evans; 2nd Supervisor: Prof Chris Evans.