Using Earth Observation to model fire carbon emissions over the tropics (PhD funded) Ref: 5799

Supervisors

Professor Stephen Sitch, Department of Geography, University of Exeter

Professor Lina Mercado, Department of Geography, University of Exeter

Professor Luiz Aragão, Department of Geography, University of Exeter

Dr Thais Rosan, Department of Geography,  University of Exeter

Dr Dom Fawcett, WSL, Switzerland

Professor Amos Tai, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Around one quarter of carbon dioxide emissions are taken up by land ecosystems with the largest sink is located in tropical ecosystems. Yet these ecosystems are also heavily impacted by deforestation, degradation through fire.

As part of the CLARiTy project (https://www.schmidtsciences.org/vicc/), this PhD will focus on modelling the impact of fires on the tropical carbon cycle and atmospheric composition across South America and Africa. It entails the further development of an Earth Observation-based fire model, originally designed the Brazil Amazon and Cerrado biomes.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject areas with strong remote-sensing, numerical, analytical and coding skills including Mathematics, Earth System Sciences, Natural Sciences and related subject areas.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience, reasons for wishing to undertake the project and fit to the project in terms of previous research and skills).

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If you are shortlisted for interview, you are required to contact the referees asking them to email the reference directly to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

•            If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 16^th of January 2026.  Interviews will be held virtually during the period 6^th -13^th of February, 2026

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5799 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary